DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Injuries

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department provides to assist service personnel seriously injured in Afghanistan to return to work.

Kevan Jones: The MOD is committed to giving seriously injured personnel every opportunity to maintain their military careers. All sick and injured personnel receive first-class medical care and rehabilitation to give them the best chance of doing so.
	The Defence Medical Services already manage 15 regional rehabilitation units in the UK and Germany and 51 primary care rehabilitation facilities, in addition to our premier Defence medical rehabilitation centre at Headley Court. These units provide rapid access to assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in order to return personnel to fitness in the most expeditious way. In addition to this, in August 2009 the MOD launched the Army recovery centre pathfinder at Erskine Home, Edinburgh. The concept behind the Army recovery capability (ARC) is to meet the need for injured and sick soldiers between or after the excellent clinical care they currently receive and it is intended that the ARC will help these soldiers to return to duty or to make a smooth transition to civilian life.
	Those who are able to remain in the Services will continue to receive medical treatment from the Defence Medical Services as required. Suitable adaptations will be made to both working and service-provided living accommodation if necessary. Ongoing welfare support is also available from the individual's chain of command, through the single service welfare services, and from service charities. There is a range of roles open to individuals who are no longer capable of fulfilling their original employment. These can include office-based roles, training, and various supporting roles in units. We attach particular importance to the role of the rear party i.e. those that do not deploy with their unit but provide, for example, welfare support for the families. Those who are medically discharged are entitled to the full resettlement package. For the seriously injured the focus will be on identifying what opportunities are open to them and then on facilitating retraining and the acquisition of new skills to enable them to take up gainful employment. Single service resettlement staffs and the Career Transition Partnership provide advice on selecting training and other services that best support individual resettlement plans, be it MOD contract funded courses, Government agencies such as Remploy or charitable organisations like Portland College or Skill Force, or accessing civilian work attachments through commercial companies like Soldier On.
	We shall be announcing further relevant initiatives shortly.

Armed Forces: Housing

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the 20 most expensive properties were which were rented by members of the armed forces with a rank of Brigadier or equivalent and above in the last 12 months.

Kevan Jones: holding answer 8 February 2010
	As part of the MOD value for money programme, which I chair, the entitlements of MOD personnel, service and civilian, are being reviewed.
	Substitute service family accommodation (SSFA) and substitute service single accommodation (SSSA) is rented from the private sector as a last resort in cases where suitable service family and single living accommodation, respectively, is not available.
	Only 17 SSFA properties have been rented for the use of officers of 1-star rank (Brigadier and equivalent) and above in the last 12 months, the details of which are as follows:
	
		
			  Location  Rent per calendar month(£) 
			 London SW3 6,933.33 
			 London W2 6,054.60 
			 Northwood 4,700.00 
			 Gerrards Cross 4,280.00 
			 Warminster 3,500.00 
			 Burford 2,920.00 
			 Windsor 2,800.00 
			 Twickenham 2,500.00 
			 Bath 2,000.00 
			 Warminster 1,950.00 
			 Wilton 1,926.00 
			 Wilton 1.926.00 
			 Stirling 1,725.00 
			 Edinburgh 1,610.00 
			 Salisbury 1,450.00 
			 Dunblane 1,350.00 
			 Ulverston 1,200.00 
		
	
	It should be noted that SSSA properties may accommodate more than one service person. Details of the 20 most expensive SSSA properties used by 1-star officers and above are as follows:
	
		
			  Location  Rent per calendar month (£) 
			 London SW10 2,383.33 
			 London SW1P 2,301.25 
			 London SW1V 1,950.00 
			 London SW1V 1,690.00 
			 Bristol 1,684.35 
			 London SW1P 1,625.00 
			 London SW1P 1,609.90 
			 London SW1A 1,569.35 
			 London SW1V 1,555.00 
			 London SW1V 1,547.00 
			 London E14 1,516.66 
			 London SW1V 1,516.66 
			 London W1K 1,495.00 
			 London SW1V 1,494.60

Armed Forces: Housing

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of his Department's housing stock in Scotland was  (a) void and  (b) uninhabited in each of the last five years; and what the estimated monetary value of such properties is.

Kevan Jones: While details of uninhabited service family accommodation (SFA) properties are not maintained separately, the Department does record those which are 'void' (not in use). According to the UK Defence Statistics, the following numbers of properties in Scotland were void in each of the last five years.
	
		
			   Total number of SFA (to nearest hundred)  Number of void SFA (to nearest hundred)  Percentage of total 
			 2005 3,800 700 18 
			 2006 3,800 800 21 
			 2007 3,500 800 23 
			 2008 3,600 900 25 
			 2009 3,200 600 18 
		
	
	These figures represent a snapshot on a given date, and it is therefore not possible to identify specific properties, for how long each was void and what the value was of each property. However, an assessment of a property's market value is usually only made for disposal purposes when it is surplus to defence requirements.
	While a 'management margin' of voids will always be required to ensure houses are available for service families, the current number of voids is recognised as being too high and the Department is working hard to reduce this to 10 per cent. by 2012.
	Although the figures for 2010 have not been finalised, the latest available information indicates that some 16 per cent. of homes worldwide are void.

Armed Forces: Housing

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on substitute accommodation in Scotland for  (a) service family accommodation and  (b) single living accommodation in each of the last five years.

Kevan Jones: It will take more time to collate and verify the information requested. I will write to the hon. Member.

Armed Forces: Housing

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) single living accommodation and  (b) service family accommodation units in Scotland are awaiting demolition.

Kevan Jones: I can confirm that there are no Single Living Accommodation (SLA) or Service Family Accommodation (SFA) units in Scotland awaiting demolition.

Chemical Weapons: Animals

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has  (a) conducted and  (b) commissioned tests involving biochemical weapons using animals in each of the last five years.

Quentin Davies: The UK is a state party to both the convention on the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and on their destruction, commonly referred to as the chemical weapons convention (CWC), and the convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons and on their destruction, commonly referred to as the biological and toxin weapons convention (BTWC) or the biological weapons convention (BWC).
	Therefore, the UK does not hold any chemical or biological weapons. However, in accordance with the conventions, the UK does maintain small quantities of chemical and biological warfare agents for research purposes to ensure that UK forces are adequately protected in the event that chemical or biological weapons are used against them. This research includes hazard assessment, the development of protective materials and the development of medical countermeasures. The research that supports hazard assessment and the development of medical countermeasures will by necessity involve the use of animals. It is UK policy to develop safe, licensed and efficacious medical countermeasures to chemical and biological agents that may pose a hazard to the UK or deployed UK forces overseas.

Chemical Weapons: Animals

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many  (a) pigs,  (b) primates,  (c) dogs and  (d) goats were used in tests (i) conducted and (ii) commissioned by his Department in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many animals have been used in tests  (a) conducted and  (b) commissioned by his Department in each of the last five years.

Quentin Davies: In accordance with UK legislation Dstl Porton Down submits annual returns to the Home Office detailing the number of procedures undertaken which involve the use of animals as defined in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
	In the years 2005 to 2009 the annual returns to the Home Office, broken down by dog, goat, mouse, pigs and non-human primates are detailed in the following table together with the total numbers of animals used.
	
		
			   Dogs  Goats  Mouse  Pig  Non-human primate  Total 
			 2005 0 0 20,016 127 54 21,118 
			 2006 0 0 15,986 123 52 17,045 
			 2007 0 0 17,095 74 75 18,257 
			 2008 0 0 10,404 113 55 11,380 
			 2009 0 0 7698 96 149 8,168

Departmental Research

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on research and development in respect of each technology sector in each year since 2004-05; and which five projects in each such year received the most funding.

Quentin Davies: Defence Research and Development (R and D) expenditure by both technology sector and individual project team is not held centrally and providing the information could be done only at disproportionate cost. I can however state the total net R and D expenditure each year since 2004-05. This information is as follows:
	
		
			   £ billion 
			 2004-05 2.19 
			 2005-06 2.24 
			 2006-07 2.12 
			 2007-08 2.14 
		
	
	MOD R and D expenditure statistics are designated National Statistics status and as such the release of these figures are embargoed until their publication by the Office for National Statistics in late March. Therefore, the 2008-09 figures are not yet available. A complete time series detailing MOD R and D expenditure is published in UK Defence Statistics (Table 1.8). A copy is placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Sick Leave

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff in his Department have had five or more periods of sickness absence of less than five days in two or more of the last three years.

Kevan Jones: The total number of MOD civilian personnel who have had five or more periods of sick absence of less than five days in two or more of the calendar years 2006, 2007 and 2008 is 2,570. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Data for the calendar year 2009 are not yet available.
	The MOD is committed to reducing sickness absence and occupational health advice and support is available to all employees and their line managers. Guidance and training is available to line managers on managing absence; we actively encourage the use of Return to Work interviews and have trigger points in place for the commencement of management action.

Departmental Training

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many overseas training courses were attended by his Department's civil servants in the latest period for which figures are available; how many civil servants attended each course; and what the total cost to the public purse was of each course.

Kevan Jones: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Expenditure on overseas training must be incurred in accordance with the principles of the Treasury publications Managing Public Money and Regularity, Propriety and Value for Money.

Departmental Training

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sessions of media training were organised for Ministers in his Department in each of the last three years.

Kevan Jones: Training is provided to Ministers on a range of issues, including handling the media, as part of their induction and continuing development in order to carry out their duties effectively under the Ministerial Code.
	The MOD's internal media and communications training organisation has provided the following training sessions to Ministers:
	
		
			  Training sessions 
			   Number 
			 2007 5 
			 2008 11 
			 2009 2

Explosives: Animals

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many animals have been used in tests involving explosives  (a) conducted and  (b) commissioned by his Department in each of the last five years.

Quentin Davies: Dstl Porton Down undertakes the MOD research programme that involves the use of animals. In accordance with UK legislation all of the research projects that involve animals are reviewed and licenced by the Home Office and annual returns are submitted to the Home Office detailing the number of procedures undertaken which involve the use of animals as defined in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
	In the last five years 119 pigs have been used in MOD research studies involving explosives; this is broken down as none in 2005, 25 in 2006, 19 in 2007, 40 in 2008 and 35 in 2009.
	These research studies involving explosives have followed up on identified problems with prolonged pre-hospital. resuscitation following blast injury. The studies have included evaluation of the whole body trauma caused by various blast explosive injury in order to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of improved post-traumatic methodology. This research has led to significant advances in post-traumatic techniques such as reducing blood loss from major trauma and has saved many lives in the theatres of Iraq and Afghanistan. The advances made due to this research can be utilised both in theatre and civilian scenarios particularly if there are mass casualties and evacuation to hospital is delayed. This is one of the reasons why Dstl research involving the use of animals is published in the open literature where possible.

Future Large Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current unit cost for the Airbus A400M agreed with EADS is.

Quentin Davies: I am withholding the information as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.

Hotels

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on overnight accommodation for his Department's civil servants in the last 12 months.

Kevan Jones: holding answer 8 February 2010
	This information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Military Bases

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current estimated monetary value is of the property comprising  (a) Naval Base Clyde,  (b) Royal Marines Condor,  (c) RAF Leuchars,  (d) 2nd Division HQ Craigiehall,  (e) Defence Estates Hebrides and  (f) Fort George; and how much his Department plans to spend on redevelopment at each of these bases.

Kevan Jones: Details of all Ministry of Defence holdings over £1 million, together with their latest asset valuations can be found in Chapter Seven of the National Asset Register, on HM Treasury's website
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/psr_investment_nar_2007_ index.htm
	It will take a little more time to collect and verify information relating to how much the Department plans to spend on redevelopment at each base. I will write to the hon. Member.
	We are interpreting DE Hebrides as referring principally to Ministry of Defence sites at Benbecula and St. Kilda and a few other locations.

Military Bases

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the estimated monetary value is of the property comprising  (a) HM Naval Base Devonport,  (b) RAF Valley,  (c) HM Naval Base Portsmouth,  (d) RAF Marham,  (e) RAF Brampton,  (f) RAF Honington,  (g) RAF Wittering,  (h) RAF Wattisham,  (i) RAF Northolt,  (j) RAF High Wycombe,  (k) RAF Brize Norton and  (l) RAF Leeming; and how much his Department plans to spend on redevelopment at each of these bases.

Kevan Jones: Details of all Ministry of Defence holdings over £1 million, together with their latest asset valuations can be found in Chapter Seven of the National Asset Register, on HM Treasury's website
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/psr_investment_nar _2007_index.htm
	It will take a little more time to collect and verify information relating to how much the Department plans to spend on redevelopment at each base. I will write to the hon. Member.

Official Visits

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met representatives of the Nordic Council; and what subjects were discussed.

Bob Ainsworth: I have not met representatives of the Nordic Council in that forum. I regularly meet individual Defence Ministers of the Nordic Council of Ministers in multilateral fora such as NATO and the EU, and occasionally bilaterally. For example, I met my Danish counterpart, Søren Gade, at the NATO Istanbul Summit, 4-5 February 2010. All such discussions cover a range of subjects of mutual interest.

WALES

Departmental Manpower

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the proportion of staff of his Department managed out in the last five years who remain working in the public sector.

Peter Hain: Nil.

Hotels

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many separate bookings at hotels graded at five star or above were made through the Expotel booking service by his Department in the latest year for which figures are available; and at what cost such bookings were made.

Wayne David: None.

Newspaper Licensing Agency

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what payments were made by his Department to the Newspaper Licensing Agency in each of the last 10 years.

Wayne David: The Wales Office has made one payment to the Newspaper Licensing Agency in January 2009 of £2,755.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

ICT

Stephen Pound: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what estimate the House of Commons Commission has made of the outturn cost of the installation of Microsoft Vista.

Nick Harvey: It is not possible to separate the cost of installing Vista from other costs. As part of a wider refresh of the parliamentary ICT infrastructure, PICT has replaced or upgraded old hardware, the Windows 2000 operating system and Office 2003 for the House of Commons Administration. The rollout began in July 2009 and the total project cost of completing the hardware and desktop software replacement is £2,643,102 for the House of Commons. This includes licences to cover all Members of the Commons and their staff.

ICT

Stephen Pound: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if the House of Commons Commission will establish the cost to the House Administration of ceasing the existing contract for the installation of Vista on all computers operated by the House of Commons Service.

Nick Harvey: Vista licences were included as an upgrade option in a general Microsoft licences agreement from 2004 to 2007. There is no cost saving to Parliament if Vista is not used. The cost of an upgrade of the operating system to Windows 7 is currently being investigated with Microsoft UK.

ICT

Stephen Pound: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission whether the House of Commons Commission plans to install Windows 7 in all computers operated by each department in the House of Commons Service.

Nick Harvey: Windows 7 was launched by Microsoft on 23 October 2009 and is being tested by PICT as a potential operating system for Members equipment in the future. If the tests prove successful and if it can be financially justified Windows 7 will be used when new equipment is issued to Members after the next election. Testing will begin in October 2010 on the equipment of administrative staff to assess the impact of Windows 7 on parliamentary applications. At the same time alternative options, including the use of cloud-based services will also be assessed.

Members: Communication

Nick Hurd: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission with reference to the answer of 13 October 2009,  Official Report, column 781, on Members: security, what methods of email encryption are compatible with hon. Members' computers; and if the Commission will make it its policy to provide a directory of encryption certificates used by hon. Members for the use of constituents seeking to encrypt their communications.

Nick Harvey: The House of Commons Commission does not release information relating to software configuration as to do so risks jeopardising the security of the parliamentary network. Members are welcome to consult PICT to find out what encryption software is available to them.
	It is a matter for individual Members whether to make details of their encryption software available to their constituents.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Communication

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of Lord Bates of 3 December 2009,  Official Report,  House of Lords, column WA68, on Government departments: annual reports, and with reference to the Government Response to the House of Lords Communications Committee's report into Government Communications, whether his Department publishes an annual report on departmental communications.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office does not publish an annual report on departmental communications.

Departmental Sick Leave

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff in his Department have had five or more periods of sickness absence of less than five days in two or more of the last three years.

Ann McKechin: All staff are on secondment from the Scottish Executive or the Ministry of Justice; who as parent bodies have absence management policies that apply to those of their staff working in this office. We do not maintain a separate central record of sick absences. Such records are held by the parent bodies which publish their own sick absence statistics.

Stress

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of any advice issued to staff of his Department on stress recognition and management.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office does not employ any staff directly. All staff in the Office are seconded from other Government Departments, mainly the Scottish Executive and Ministry of Justice. All staff have access to policies relating to stress recognition and management through their parent bodies.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Blaydon

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Blaydon constituency, the effects on Blaydon of his Department's policies and actions since 2000.

Si�n Simon: My Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
	The impact of bodies and policies of my Department on the Blaydon constituency since 2000 include:
	£61,758 given from Arts Council England to organisations based in Blaydon in 2008-09 through the Grants for the Arts programme.
	Digital Switchover is due to take place in the north-east in 2012. By the time switchover is complete at the end of 2012, 98.5 per cent. of households nationwide will be able to receive digital TV-the same number that can currently receive analogue.
	£4,500 of Exchequer investment to the Blaydon constituency provided through Sport England for 2009 to 2010.
	Almost £10 million of national lottery grants made to applications from the constituency since 1995.
	The Blaydon constituency has also benefited from other policies and spending whose impact cannot be broken down by constituency. This includes:
	£4 billion of Exchequer funding spent on culture.
	More than £5.5 billion invested in sport by the Government and the national lottery since 1997.
	Over a quarter of a million free swims taken in the north-east region since the Free Swimming programme was introduced.
	A 68 per cent. increase in national museum visits from 1998-99 to 2008-09-10 per cent. of which were by adults from lower socioeconomic groups.
	£416.6 million in grants allocated by English Heritage since 1997.
	48 per cent. of buildings on the original 1999 Buildings at Risk Register having their future secured.
	90 per cent. of all pupils taking part in at least two hours of high quality PE or sport per week in 2008 from an estimated 25 per cent. in 2003-04-exceeding our target.

Chorley

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information as closely related to Chorley constituency as possible, the effect on that constituency of the policies of his Department since 1997.

Si�n Simon: My Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
	The impact of bodies and policies of my Department on the Chorley constituency since 1997 include:
	£19,434 given from Arts Council England to organisations based in Chorley in 2008-09 through the Grants for the Arts programme.
	Digital Switchover has been completed in the North West region, and by 2012, 98.5 per cent. of households nationwide will be able to receive digital TV-the same number that can currently receive analogue.
	£7,570 of Exchequer investment to the Chorley constituency provided through Sport England since 2002.
	Almost £20 million of National lottery grants made to applications from the constituency since 1995.
	The Chorley constituency has also benefitted from other policies and spending whose impact cannot be broken down by constituency. This includes:
	£4 billion of Exchequer funding spent on culture.
	More than £5.5 billion invested in sport by the Government and the National lottery since 1997.
	Over half a million free swims taken in the North West region since the Free Swimming programme was introduced.
	A 68 per cent. increase in national museum visits from 1998-99 to 2008-09-10 per cent. of which were by adults from lower socioeconomic groups.
	£416.6 million in grants allocated by English Heritage since 1997.
	48 per cent. of buildings on the original 1999 Buildings at Risk Register having their future secured.
	90 per cent. of all pupils taking part in at least two hours of high quality PE or sport per week in 2008 from an estimated 25 per cent. in 2003-04-exceeding our target.

Feltham

Alan Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to Feltham and Heston constituency, the effects on that constituency of changes to his Department's policies since 1997.

Si�n Simon: My Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
	The impact of bodies and policies of my Department on the Feltham and Heston constituency since 1997 include:
	Digital Switchover is due to take place in Feltham and Heston in 2012. By the time switchover is complete at the end of 2012, 98.5 per cent. of households nationwide will be able to receive digital TV-the same number that can currently receive analogue.
	£115,222,067 of Exchequer investment to the Feltham and Heston constituency provided through Sport England since 2004.
	Over £6 million of national lottery grants made to applications from the Feltham and Heston constituency since 1997.
	A £163,000 repair grant offered by English Heritage in 2008-09.
	The Feltham and Heston constituency has also benefited from other policies and spending whose impact cannot be broken down by constituency.
	This includes:
	Over £13 million Arts Council England funding to projects in the London area £4 billion of Exchequer funding spent on culture.
	More than £5.5 billion invested in sport by the Government and the national lottery since 1997.
	Almost 400,000 free swims taken in the south east in the first six months of the Free Swimming programme.
	A 68 per cent. increase in national museum visits from 1998-99 to 2008-09-10 per cent. of which were by adults from lower socioeconomic groups.
	£416.6 million in grants allocated by English Heritage since 1997.
	48 per cent. of buildings on the original 1999 Buildings at Risk Register having their future secured.
	90 per cent. of all pupils taking part in at least two hours of high quality PE or sport per week in 2008 from an estimated 25 per cent. in 2003-04-exceeding our target.

Gloucester

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department has spent in Gloucester constituency since 1997; and which projects have been funded.

Si�n Simon: holding answer 5 February 2010
	My Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
	The impact of bodies and policies of my Department on the Gloucester constituency since 1997 include:
	£111,100 given from Arts Council England to organisations based in Gloucester in 2008-09 through the Grants for the Arts programme.
	Digital Switchover is due to take place in Gloucester in April 2010. By the time switchover is complete at the end of 2012, 98.5 per cent. of households nationwide will be able to receive digital TV-the same number that can currently receive analogue.
	£938,706 of Exchequer investment to the Gloucester constituency provided through Sport England between 2002-03 and 2009-10.
	Over £46 million of national lottery grants made to applications from the Gloucester constituency since 1997.
	The Gloucester constituency has also benefited from other policies and spending whose impact cannot be broken down by constituency. This includes:
	£4 billion of Exchequer funding spent on culture.
	More than £5.5 billion invested in sport by the Government and the national lottery since 1997.
	Over 400,000 free swims taken in the south west in the first six months of the Free Swimming programme.
	A 68 per cent. increase in national museum visits from 1998-99 to 2008-09-10 per cent. of which were by adults from lower socioeconomic groups.
	£416.6 million in grants allocated by English Heritage since 1997.
	48 per cent. of buildings on the original 1999 Buildings at Risk Register having their future secured.
	90 per cent. of all pupils taking part in at least two hours of high quality PE or sport per week in 2008 from an estimated 25 per cent. in 2003-04-exceeding our target.

Hemsworth

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Hemsworth constituency, the effects on Hemsworth of his Department's policies and actions since 2000.

Si�n Simon: My Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
	The impact of bodies and policies of my Department on the Hemsworth constituency since 2000 include:
	Digital Switchover is due to take place in Hemsworth in 2011. By the time switchover is complete at the end of 2012, 98.5 per cent. of households nationwide will be able to receive digital TV-the same number that can currently receive analogue.
	£176,600 of Exchequer investment to the Hemsworth constituency provided through Sport England since 2002.
	Over £15.5 million of national lottery grants made to applications from the Hemsworth constituency since 1997.
	A £50,000 repair grant offered by English Heritage in 2008-09.
	The Hemsworth constituency has also benefited from other policies and spending whose impact cannot be broken down by constituency. This includes:
	£4 billion of Exchequer funding spent on culture.
	More than £5.5 billion invested in sport by the Government and the national lottery since 1997.
	Almost 1.7 million free swims taken in the Yorkshire and Humber region since April 2009 under the Free Swimming programme.
	A 68 per cent. increase in national museum visits from 1998-99 to 2008-09-10 per cent. of which were by adults from lower socioeconomic groups.
	£416.6 million in grants allocated by English Heritage since 1997.
	48 per cent. of buildings on the original 1999 Buildings at Risk Register having their future secured.
	90 per cent. of all pupils taking part in at least two hours of high quality PE or sport per week in 2008 from an estimated 25 per cent. in 2003-04-exceeding our target.

Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Milton Keynes, the effects on Milton Keynes of the policies and actions of his Department and its predecessors since 1997.

Si�n Simon: My Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
	The impact of bodies and policies of my Department on the Milton Keynes constituency since 1997 include:
	£100,169 given from Arts Council England to organisations based in Milton Keynes in 2008-09 through the Grants for the Arts programme.
	During 2008-09 the Arts Council supported the Milton Keynes Gallery and The Stables in your constituency with regular funding totalling £468,566.
	Digital Switchover is due to take place in Milton Keynes in 2012. By the time switchover is complete at the end of 2012, 98.5 per cent. of households nationwide will be able to receive digital TV-the same number that can currently receive analogue.
	£912,715 of Exchequer investment to the Milton Keynes constituency provided through Sport England since 2002.
	Over £67 million of National lottery grants made to applications from the Milton Keynes constituency since 1997.
	The Milton Keynes constituency has also benefitted from other policies and spending whose impact cannot be broken down by constituency.
	This includes:
	£4 billion of Exchequer funding spent on culture.
	More than £5.5 billion invested in sport by the Government and the National lottery since 1997.
	Almost 400,000 free swims taken in the south east in the first six months of the Free Swimming programme.
	A 68 per cent. increase in national museum visits from 1998-99 to 2008-09-10 per cent. of which were by adults from lower socioeconomic groups.
	£416.6 million in grants allocated by English Heritage since 1997.
	48 per cent. of buildings on the original 1999 Buildings at Risk Register having their future secured.
	90 per cent. of all pupils taking part in at least two hours of high quality PE or sport per week in 2008 from an estimated 25 per cent. in 2003-04-exceeding our target.

Slough

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to the Slough constituency, the effects on Slough of the policies and actions of his Department and its predecessor since 2000.

Si�n Simon: My Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
	The impact of bodies and policies of my Department on the Slough constituency since 1997 include:
	£107,400 given from Arts Council England to organisations based in Slough in 2008-09 through the Grants for the Arts programme.
	Digital Switchover is due to take place in Slough in 2012. By the time switchover is complete at the end of 2012, 98.5 per cent. of households nationwide will be able to receive digital TV-the same number that can currently receive analogue.
	£96,100 of Exchequer investment to the Slough constituency provided through Sport England between 2002-03 and 2009-10.
	Over £25 million of National lottery grants made to applications from the Slough constituency since 1997.
	The Slough constituency has also benefited from other policies and spending whose impact cannot be broken down by constituency. This includes:
	£4 billion of Exchequer funding spent on culture.
	More than £5.5 billion invested in sport by the Government and the National Lottery since 1997.
	Over 6,000 free swims taken in the Slough Unitary Authority in the first six months of the Free Swimming programme.
	A 68 per cent. increase in national museum visits from 1998-99 to 2008-09-10 per cent. of which were by adults from lower socioeconomic groups.
	£416.6 million in grants allocated by English Heritage since 1997.
	48 per cent. of buildings on the original 1999 Buildings at Risk Register having their future secured.
	90 per cent. of all pupils taking part in at least two hours of high quality PE or sport per week in 2008 from an estimated 25 per cent. in 2003-04-exceeding our target.

Sports: Public Participation

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects the provisional results of the most recent Taking Part Survey to be published.

Si�n Simon: The next release of Taking Part survey results will take place on 18 March 2010.
	This provides an update to the rolling annual data published on 17 December 2009 and will include additional data for the period up to December 2009.
	Interim progress against public service agreement 21; indicator 6 will be assessed using data from the Taking Part survey in summer 2010, with the final assessment published in summer 2011.

Thanet

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to South Thanet constituency, the effects on South Thanet of his Department's policies and actions since 2000.

Si�n Simon: My Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
	The impact of bodies and policies of my Department on the South Thanet constituency since 2000 include:
	£5,813 given from Arts Council England to organisations based in South Thanet in 2008-09 through the Grants for the Arts programme.
	Digital Switchover is due to take place in South Thanet in 2012. By the time switchover is complete at the end of 2012, 98.5 per cent. of households nationwide will be able to receive digital TV-the same number that can currently receive analogue.
	Almost £14 million of national lottery grants made to applications from the South Thanet constituency since 1997.
	The South Thanet constituency has also benefited from other policies and spending whose impact cannot be broken down by constituency. This includes:
	£4 billion of Exchequer funding spent on culture.
	More than £5.5 billion invested in sport by the Government and the national lottery since 1997.
	Almost 400,000 free swims taken in the south east in the first six months of the Free Swimming programme.
	A 68 per cent. increase in national museum visits from 1998-99 to 2008-09-10 per cent. of which were by adults from lower socioeconomic groups.
	£416.6 million in grants allocated by English Heritage since 1997.
	48 per cent. of buildings on the original 1999 Buildings at Risk Register having their future secured.
	90 per cent. of all pupils taking part in at least two hours of high quality PE or sport per week in 2008 from an estimated 25 per cent. in 2003-04-exceeding our target.

Vauxhall

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to Vauxhall constituency, the effects on the constituency of changes to his Department's policies since 1997.

Si�n Simon: My Department's aim is to improve the quality of life for everyone through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.
	The impact of bodies and policies of my Department on the Vauxhall constituency since 1997 include:
	£635,706 given from Arts Council England to organisations based in Vauxhall in 2008-09 through the Grants for the Arts programme.
	£37,844,788 of capital lottery funds allocated by Arts Council England for projects in Vauxhall undertaken since 2003.
	The Young Vic and National Theatre have joined A Night Less Ordinary allowing young people to attend theatre events for free.
	Digital Switchover is due to take place in Vauxhall in 2012. By the time switchover is complete at the end of 2012, 98.5 per cent. of households nationwide will be able to receive digital TV-the same number that can currently receive analogue.
	£497,500 of Exchequer investment to the Vauxhall constituency provided through Sport England between 2002-03 and 2009-10.
	Over £306 million of National lottery grants made to applications from the Vauxhall constituency since 1997.
	The Vauxhall constituency has also benefited from other policies and spending whose impact cannot be broken down by constituency. This includes:
	£4 billion of Exchequer funding spent on culture.
	More than £5.5 billion invested in sport by the Government and the National Lottery since 1997.
	Almost 1 million free swims taken in London in the first six months of the Free Swimming programme.
	A 68 per cent. increase in national museum visits from 1998-99 to 2008-09-10 per cent. of which were by adults from lower socioeconomic groups.
	£416.6 million in grants allocated by English Heritage since 1997.
	48 per cent. of buildings on the original 1999 Buildings at Risk Register having their future secured.
	90 per cent. of all pupils taking part in at least two hours of high quality PE or sport per week in 2008 from an estimated 25 per cent. in 2003-04-exceeding our target.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal Health Bill: Draft

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the draft Animal Health Bill what contribution hobby farmers would be expected to make under the cost-sharing arrangements proposed in the draft Bill.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The cost sharing arrangements associated with the draft Animal Health Bill will be developed as part of a future Finance Bill. The form that the cost sharing arrangements will take and any implications for the farming sector will be examined as part of the policy development process.

Departmental Information Officers

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in his Department and its agencies  (a) have the status of embedded communicators and  (b) are members of the Government Communications Network but are not listed in the Central Office of Information White Book.

Dan Norris: There are currently seven embedded communicators working within the business and a further 70 in the core communications function.
	Government Communications Network (GCN) membership data are not held by individual departments. The Cabinet Office unit who administer the GCN are unable to share membership data without the permission of individual members. Therefore it is not possible to readily provide accurate information.
	Detailed figures relating to DEFRA agencies are not held centrally and could only be collated at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Legal Costs

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what expenditure his Department and its agencies have incurred on external legal advice and representation in each year since his Department was established; and for what purposes such services have been commissioned.

Dan Norris: The expenditure the Department and its agencies have incurred on external legal advice and representation in each financial year since the Department was established is as follows:
	
		
			   £000 
			 2002-03 3,737 
			 2003-04 2,955 
			 2004-05 4,898 
			 2005-06 4,374 
			 2006-07 1,858 
			 2007-08 4,770 
			 2008-09 4,061 
		
	
	External legal advice and representation was commissioned for a range of specialist legal services that were not available internally.
	In reply to a question from the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Shapps), on 18 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1429W, asking how much was spent on legal fees in each of the previous five years, 2002-03 to 2006-07, an answer was published which gave lower figures for those years than the figures above.
	The reason is that one of the Department's executive agencies (the Rural Payments Agency) has revised its figures for 2002-03 to 2006-07 to include expenditure on legal services by non-legal divisions within the RPA that had been omitted from the answer referred to above.

Departmental Legislation

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criminal offences have been  (a) abolished and  (b) created by primary legislation sponsored by his Department since 1 May 2008.

Dan Norris: The information requested is as follows:
	 Climate Change Act 2008
	DEFRA is only responsible for some parts of the Climate Change Act 2008.
	The parts of the Act for which DEFRA is responsible do not create any other offences, or repeal any offences. However there are some provisions which amend some offences.
	Section 88 amends section 105(2) of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 to enable an increase in the maximum fines on summary conviction that can be provided for under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999. This is to enable the maximum fines on summary conviction under regulations made under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 to be made consistent with the equivalent maximum fines under section 33(8) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Also to provide for consistency, it revokes regulation 39(2)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (which provides for maximum fines).
	Paragraph 3 of schedule 5 contains a consequential amendment to section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (receptacles for household waste). Section 46 contains an offence provision.
	 Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
	The Marine and Coastal Access Act creates a number of new offences, abolishes others and amends some existing criminal offences. The Act has only recently received Royal Assent and so a number of these provisions are not yet in force. Full details of the offences that will be created when the Act is fully in force and of the offences that will be repealed or amended are as follows:
	When Act is fully in force:
	 Offences created
	Section 85(1) (breach of requirement for, or conditions of, marine licence)
	Section 89(1) (knowingly/recklessly making false/misleading statements; intentional failure to disclose material particular)
	Section 92(3) (failure to comply with compliance notice or remediation notice)
	Section 103(3) (failure to comply with stop notice)
	Section 105(3) (failure to comply with emergency safety notice)
	Section 139(1) (contravening any byelaw made under section 129 or 132(1), or any order made under section 134 or 136(1))
	Section 140(1) (damaging etc protected features of Marine Conservation Zones)
	Section 163(1) (contravention of any byelaw made under section 155)
	Section 163(2) (liability of master, owner and charterer)
	Section 190(1) (contravention of any provision of an order made under section 189)
	Section 190(2) (liability of master, owner and charterer)
	Section 195 amends section 3 of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 to insert offence of contravening an order made under subsection (2A))
	Section 198 amends section 5 of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 by substituting subsection (1) to make it an offence to contravene any prohibition or restriction imposed by an order made under section 5 and to add liability for master, owner or charter of vessel
	Section 199 amends section 15 of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 to create offences of assaulting an officer and obstructing an officer
	Section 200 substitutes section 12 of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 in relation to liability of officers etc of bodies corporate
	Section 206 amends section 3 of the Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 to provide for liability of master, owner and charterer
	Section 219 amends section 27 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 to create two new offences in section 27B of that Act (unauthorised fishing)
	Section 228(1) amends the Theft Act 1968 to substitute an offence of unlawfully taking or destroying etc fish in private property etc.
	Section 232 contains an enabling power to make regulations in relation to keeping, introduction and removal of fish, and such regulations may make provision creating criminal offences
	Section 292(1) (failure without reasonable excuse to comply with reasonable requirement or directions given by enforcement officer, etc).
	Section 292(3) (knowing or reckless provision of false information; intentional failure to disclose material particulars)
	Section 292(4) (intentional obstruction of enforcement officer)
	Section 292(5) (assaulting an enforcement officer)
	Section 292(6) (falsely pretending to be an enforcement officer)
	Section 293 amends section 30 of the Fisheries Act 1981 to substitute provision providing for liability of master, owner and charterer, and offence of contravention of fishing restrictions/obligations
	Section 314(1)-amends Energy Act 2008 to create the following new offences in that Act:
	section 791 (carrying out operation without consent or failing to comply with condition)
	section 79J(1) (knowingly or recklessly making false statements)
	section 79J(2) (failing to disclose relevant information)
	section 79K(1) (failure to fail to comply with a direction under section 79E)
	section 79L(1) (failure to comply with emergency safety notice or immediate action notice within time allowed)
	section 79N contains an enabling power for making regulations about inspectors etc, and such regulations may provide for the creation of offences
	Section 318 (offences by officers etc where offence committed by bodies corporate)
	Schedule 15, paragraph 3(5) amends the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 to insert a new section 1(6A) (failure to comply with order under section 1(6))
	 Repeals
	Section 187 repeals the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966 (which contains offences in section 11)
	Section 233 repeals several offences in Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975: section 4 (poisonous matter and polluting effluent), section 23 (export of salmon and trout) and section 24 (consignment of salmon and trout; and obstruction of authorised officer)
	Section 234 repeals-
	White Herring Fisheries Act 1771 (offence in section 11);
	Seal Fishery Act 1875 (offence in section 2);
	North Sea Fisheries Act 1893 (offences in sections 2, 3 and 4);
	Behring Sea Award Act 1894 (offences in sections 1 to 3);
	Seal Fisheries (North Pacific) Act 1895 (offences in 1, 2 and 4);
	Seal Fisheries (North Pacific) Act 1912 (offence in section 3);
	Schedule 16, paragraph 2 omits offence in section 3 (nets) of Salmon and
	Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975. Paragraph 4 of that Schedule omits offences in sections 6 (fixed engines), 7( fishing weirs) and 8 (fishing mill dams) of that Act. Paragraph 5 omits offences in section 16 (boxes and cribs in weirs and dams); paragraph 6 omits offences in section 17 (restrictions on taking salmon or trout above or below an obstruction or in mill races).

Environmental Stewardship Scheme: Manpower

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Natural England advisers are working in each Higher Level Stewardship scheme  (a) target area and  (b) Government Office region.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The number of Natural England advisers working on Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) by Government Office region for 2009-10 are shown in the following table(1).
	(1) Figures provided by Natural England
	
		
			  Government office region  Total (full-time equivalents (FTE)) 
			 East Midlands 17 
			 East of England 20 
			 North East 12 
			 North West 26 
			 South East (including London) 28 
			 South West 51 
			 West Midlands 25 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 21 
			 Total 200 
			  Notes: 1. There are 200 FTEs working on HLS, creating new agreements, and maintaining and monitoring existing agreements. 2. An FTE is equivalent to 210 working days and is used instead of numbers of advisers for two reasons: 1) Advisers do not necessarily spend their whole time working on HLS; 2) Some advisers will be part-time. 3.(.)The numbers of FTEs in each region is related to the amount of existing HLS work, the proportion of land that is within target areas within the region and the overall RDPE budget allocated to that region. 
		
	
	Figures to show adviser or FTE distribution by target area are not available as adviser/FTE numbers vary through the year. For reference, the target areas within each Government Office region are shown on the interactive map available at:
	www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/es/hls/targeting/default.aspx

Floods: Lewes

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department has spent on flood protection measures in Lewes constituency in each year since 1997.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The following table shows the amount the Environment Agency has spent on managing flood risk in the Lewes constituency for each year since 1997. The figures include new or improved defences, minor improvement works, maintenance, incident response, flood warning improvements, and grants to local authorities for integrated urban drainage.
	
		
			   £ 
			 1997-98 409,000 
			 1998-99 434,000 
			 1999-2000 514,000 
			 2000-01 640,000 
			 2001-02 569,000 
			 2002-03 709,000 
			 2003-04 631,000 
			 2004-05 2,511,000 
			 2005-06 946,000 
			 2006-07 784,000 
			 2007-08 844,000 
			 2008-09 911,000 
			 2009-10 1,089,000 
			 Total 10,991,000 
		
	
	These figures are from the Environment Agency's flood defence grant in aid records.
	In addition, Lewes district council has been awarded up to £282,000 under DEFRA's household flood protection grant scheme. This funding must be claimed by March 2011.
	Work using locally raised funds, as well as strategies and plans identifying the needs of a much wider area, have been excluded.

Food Supply

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding his Department has provided to local food chain initiatives in the last 12 months; and which such initiatives received that funding.  [Official Report, 22 February 2010, Vol. 506, c. 1MC.]

Jim Fitzpatrick: During the past 12 months (from 4 February 2009) £11,806,666 has been committed under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) to support local food chain initiatives. This funding is administered by the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and the breakdown of spend by region is as follows:
	
		
			  RDA  RDPE spend (£) 
			 North East RDA 2,656,337 
			 Advantage West Midlands 583,228 
			 East Midlands 648,847 
			 South West RDA 2,850,000 
			 North West RDA 1,776,242 
			 South East RDA 2,590,536 
			 East England DA 301,476 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 400,000 
			 Total 11,806,666 
		
	
	In the same period, RDAs have also provided £4,385,078 from their single pot to support local food chain initiatives, to which DEFRA makes a contribution. The RDPE and single pot money is supporting a range of initiatives including the funding of delivery organisations in the region, support for individual food producers and retail outlets, food hubs and farmers' markets.
	In addition, the National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) was awarded a DEFRA Agricultural Development Scheme grant of £176,000 over three years from January 2008, £63,500 of which has been provided within the last 12 months. The award was for a project aimed at improving performance in the farm 'direct sales' sector by means of a producer verification scheme for farmers' markets, and an assurance scheme for farm shops.

Hemsworth

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Hemsworth constituency, the effects on Hemsworth of his Department's policies and actions since 2000.

Dan Norris: Due to the broad nature of the question and the wide range of DEFRA policies implemented in Hemsworth, it is not possible to provide a detailed answer in the form requested.
	As a local authority, Hemsworth is obliged through statute to comply with central Government legislation. DEFRA's policy responsibilities are summarised in its departmental strategic objectives (DSOs) that have been agreed with the Treasury:
	To promote a society that is adapting to the effects of climate change, through a national programme of action and a contribution to international action.
	To promote a healthy, resilient, productive and diverse natural environment.
	To promote sustainable, low carbon and resource efficient patterns of consumption and production.
	To promote an economy and a society that are resilient to environmental risk.
	To champion sustainable development.
	To promote a thriving farming and food sector with an improving net environmental impact.
	To encourage a sustainable, secure and healthy food supply.
	To provide socially and economically sustainable rural communities.
	To be a respected department delivering efficient and high quality services and outcomes.
	DEFRA publishes annual departmental reports which set out progress against its public service agreement targets and DSOs. The 2009 report is available at:
	www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/how/deprep/2009-report.htm
	Past reports are available online in the National Archives.
	For information on a specific DEFRA policy in Hemsworth, the Government office for Yorkshire and the Humber is able to provide information on implementation and the benefits to the area.

Reservoirs

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many flood storage reservoirs have been  (a) decommissioned and  (b) created in each of the last five years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The number of Environment Agency flood storage reservoirs that have been  (a) discontinued and  (b) constructed during the last five years, and which fall under the Reservoirs Act 1975 are shown in the following table. The Environment Agency does not hold figures for third party reservoirs, as reservoir use is not listed on the Public Register.
	
		
			   (a) Number of reservoirs discontinued  (b) Number of reservoirs constructed 
			 2005 0 2 
			 2006 1 5 
			 2007 0 4 
			 2008 0 8 
			 2009 1 3 
		
	
	There are six additional reservoirs currently under construction.

Rivers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps his Department has taken to encourage local river restoration.

Huw Irranca-Davies: In the current financial year, DEFRA has provided £3.25 million to the Environment Agency and £1.75 million to other organisations such as the Association of Rivers Trusts, to undertake river restoration projects and work towards meeting our Water Framework Directive objectives.
	As part of this work, over 150 obstructions to fish passages have been made passable or have been removed.

Snow and Ice

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the costs to his Department arising from the severe weather conditions in the period 4 January to 18 January 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Dan Norris: There were no direct costs to the core Department as a result of the severe weather conditions in the period 4 January to 18 January. There were some indirect costs from staff time being re-prioritised to prepare for, and co-ordinate the Department's response to, the situation.

Special Protection Areas: Cats

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance his Department and Natural England has issued to local authorities on banning residents in new housing developments owning cats as a planning condition in areas with Special Protection Areas Status; and which local authorities have implemented Avoidance Strategies with suggested or recommended domestic cat bans.

Ian Austin: I have been asked to reply.
	None. The implementation of Avoidance Strategies is not monitored centrally.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan: Politics and Government

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had discussions with the Afghan Government on the composition of its delegation to the London conference on Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The composition of the Afghan delegation to the London Conference on Afghanistan was a matter for the Afghan Government. The Afghan Government ensured that all relevant Ministers were in attendance.

Asia: Religious Freedom

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports his Department has received on the treatment of religious minorities in  (a) North Korea,  (b) Iran,  (c) Saudi Arabia,  (d) Somalia and  (e) the Maldives.

Ivan Lewis: We condemn all instances of violence and discrimination against individuals and groups because of their faith or belief, wherever they happen and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned. Our overseas missions monitor the human rights in their host countries and routinely raise our concerns with their governments. We take action on individual cases where persecution or discrimination has occurred and lobby for changes in discriminatory practices and laws.
	The UK deplores the Iranian authorities' treatment of religious minorities. The Iranian Constitution gives nominal protection to members of the Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian faiths by recognising them as minority religions. The number of Christians and Christian converts in Iran who have been arrested or detained has increased significantly over recent years and, under Iran's strict interpretation of Islam, anyone converting to another religion could face the death penalty or at least life imprisonment. Other religious minorities, such as the Baha'is, do not receive even this slender protection under law and are subjected to gross human rights violations. Seven members of the Baha'i leadership in Iran are currently standing trial.
	In Saudi Arabia, Islam is the official religion and all citizens are required to be Muslims. Renouncing religious belief in Islam is an offence punishable by death. Religious minorities continue to suffer discrimination and are under-represented in the senior government bureaucracy, municipal councils and public companies. Shia leaders have also alleged harassment and civil discrimination.
	Under the terms of its constitution the Maldives is an Islamic country. Under Maldivian law non-Muslims are forbidden from practising their religion publicly. President Mohamed Nasheed has made public his commitment to ensuring that the Maldives fulfils its international obligations on human rights. Since he was elected in October 2008, there has been welcome progress in areas such as media freedom and freedom of expression. But there are still some areas where progress can be made, particularly in regards to religious freedom. We continue to encourage his government to make further progress on this as soon as possible.
	There is no freedom of religion in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Although there Eire Anglican, Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches in Pyongyang, we believe these to be show churches, for the benefit of foreign visitors.
	Given the security situation in Somalia, the UK has no presence on the ground to be able to monitor the human rights situation first hand.

Conflict Prevention Pool: Finance

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has contributed to the Government's Conflict Prevention Pool in each of the last three years.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 21 January 2010
	On 1 April 2009, the Conflict Prevention Pool and Stabilisation Aid Fund were merged to form one single Conflict Pool. The Conflict Pool is governed and managed tri-departmentally by Department for International Department (DFID), Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Ministry of Defence (MoD); however the funding is provided as part of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) settlement. The FCO does therefore not normally contribute from its own departmental budget.
	On 25 March 2009, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs highlighted in a written ministerial statement, the increasing pressure on conflict resources, partly because of exchange rate fluctuations but also because of projected increases in assessed (obligatory) international peacekeeping mission and court contributions. This resulted in less funding being available for discretionary conflict activity (conflict prevention, stabilisation and discretionary peacekeeping e.g. UK secondees to international missions such as EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo). The 2007 CSR Settlement agreed that the Conflict Prevention Pool would be the first port of call if assessed peacekeeping costs rose above forecast.
	To offset the impact on discretionary conflict activity, DFID, FCO and MOD provided additional resources (£71 million) from their departmental budgets, of which the FCO set aside £15million.

Departmental Communication

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department publishes an annual report on departmental communications.

Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's departmental report, which is available on our website and in the Library of the House, includes a section on Communication in Volume One, Part Two (The FCO Change Programme).

Departmental Internet

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for which Google Adword online advertising keywords his Department and its agencies have paid in the last 12 months; and at what cost.

Chris Bryant: In the last 12 months the Foreign and Commonwealth Office paid for Google Adwords for two cross-government digital campaigns, and one consular campaign. We publicised the G20 London Summit
	www.londonsummit.gov.uk
	at a cost of £991; the Act on Copenhagen campaign www.actoncopenhagen.gov.uk at a cost of £492; and our Go Gap Year campaign
	www.gogapyear.com
	at a cost of £3,000.

Departmental Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on maintaining its YouTube channel in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s YouTube channel
	www.youtube.com/ukforeignoffice
	is free. The FCO has had 554,806 views of its videos and have over 869 subscribers to our channel. The FCO's videos on forced marriages and travel (visa, passports, and travel advice) are the most popular in terms of views, ratings and comments. Time spent on maintaining the FCO's YouTube account is not recorded, but is estimated to total no more than one hour per working day to upload videos, moderate comments, and reference statistics.

Departmental Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on maintaining his Department's flickr photo stream in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's pro flickr account at:
	www.flickr.com/foreignoffice
	has an annual cost of $24.95 and has been viewed over 1.5 million times.

Departmental Pay

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 November 2009,  Official Report, column 304W, on departmental pay, how many staff in his Department received both an annual performance bonus and an in-year bonus in 2008-09; what proportion of the total work force this represents; what the largest combined bonus payment to an individual was; and who was responsible for awarding such bonuses.

Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office awards non-consolidated, variable performance related payments to recognise particularly strong performance and to reward those who make the biggest contribution. Last year 948 staff, representing 18 per cent. of the workforce, performed strongly enough to be awarded both an in-year non-consolidated, variable performance related payment as well as an annual one. All these staff come from lower management and administrative grades, because the senior civil service cannot earn in-year awards. The largest combined payment was £3,975. Annual non-consolidated, variable performance payments are solely linked to performance appraisals and have been agreed as part of a collective bargaining, negotiated pay settlement. In-year payments are devolved to Directorates to allow them to recognise achievement by their own staff. Nominations are moderated within the Directorate for balance and fairness to all staff.

Government Hospitality: Wines

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance is issued to Government departments on the use of wine from the Government wine cellar; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: holding answer 28 January 2010
	We do not advise departments on the use of wine as departments do not select wines from the cellar or control the amount used.

Government Hospitality: Wines

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Aaswer of 12 January 2010,  Official Report, column 954W, on Government hospitality: wines, from what wine merchants his Department purchased wine in the last 12 months.

Chris Bryant: holding answer 28 January 2010
	No central records are held of wines purchased across the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
	However, Government Hospitality recorded purchases in 2009 from the following wine merchants and producers:
	Corney and Barrow Ltd
	Justerini and Brooks Ltd
	John Lewis/Waitrose
	O W Loeb Ltd
	Averys of Bristol
	Jereboams (Laytons)
	Liberty Wines Ltd
	Lea and Sandeman Ltd
	Berry Bros, and Rudd Ltd
	Ridgeview Estate Winery Ltd.
	Armit Wines Ltd
	Lay and Wheeler Ltd
	These merchants and producers are included on Government Hospitality's list of approved suppliers, which is reviewed annually by the Government Hospitality Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine.

Government Hospitality: Wines

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2010,  Official Report, column 101W, on Government hospitality: wines, how many people are employed to input data into the Windows SharePoint system used to manage transactions for the Government wine cellar; and when he expects the current backlog of data to have been entered.

Chris Bryant: holding answer 29 January 2010
	One civil servant currently has responsibility for the in-put of data into the Government Hospitality wine database, among other duties. It is hoped that the backlog of data will soon be cleared.

Government Hospitality: Wines

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times the Government Hospitality Advisory Committee for the purchase of wine has met in each of the last three years.

Chris Bryant: The Government Hospitality Advisory Committee for the purchase of wine meets four times each year.

Iran: Nuclear Power

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss with the US administration its policy on Iran's nuclear programme.

Ivan Lewis: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary speaks regularly to the US Administration about Iran's nuclear programme and, of course, we consult closely with them as members of the E3+3 on an ongoing basis.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 20 January 2010,  Official Report, column 336W, on Palestinians: international assistance, if he will instruct officials within his Department to carry out research on whether Israeli restrictions on Gaza constitute collective punishment.

Ivan Lewis: The extent of Israeli restrictions, and the threat to Israel from militants in Gaza, varies constantly. Rather than focus on whether the restrictions at any given time amount to collective punishment, we have consistently pressed the Israeli government to comply with their obligations under international law and allow passage of relief supplies.

Mor Gabriel Monastery

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of Turkey on the future of Mor Gabriel monastery as a place of worship for the Syrian Orthodox community.

Chris Bryant: Yes.

Overseas Students: Scolarships

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many scholarships have been awarded by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission in each of the last five years.

Chris Bryant: The number of new Marshall scholars in each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2005 43 
			 2006 43 
			 2007 44 
			 2008 37 
			 2009 40 
		
	
	Detailed information about all Marshall scholars can be found on the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission's website:
	http://www.marshallscholarship.org/

Uganda: Armed Conflict

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on  (a) the activities of the Lords Resistance Army and  (b) prospects for the resumption of peace negotiations involving Joseph Kony in Uganda.

Ivan Lewis: Our posts liaise regularly with the governments in the region on the joint military operation to pursue the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), as well as with the regional UN Peace Keeping Operations and the UN secretariat in New York, and report back on the latest developments. The latest information indicates that LRA fighters number between 200 and 300 in total and they are scattered in small units throughout Northeast Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Southeast Central African Republic and Southern Sudan.
	We assess that while Joseph Kony remains at large, the LRA has no will to re-enter negotiations with any government, nor do they have any credible interlocutors. The LRA's main objective is survival, and they continue to perpetrate brutal acts of violence and intimidation in order to expropriate supplies and funds from civilians across South Sudan, the Central African Republic and North Eastern DRC. The LRA has also been known to target aid distribution efforts in the region.

Western Sahara: Fisheries

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations have taken place with the Saharawi since the 2006 EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement came into effect on the subject of their desire for the agreement.

Ivan Lewis: The Government have not held any such consultations with the Saharawi since the 2006 EU-Morocco Fisheries Agreement came into force. The Government are not aware whether any such consultations have taken place with other parties.

Yemen: Embassies

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional steps he has taken to ensure the safety and security of  (a) the British Embassy in Yemen and  (b) Embassy staff since the closure of the Embassy in January 2010.

Ivan Lewis: The safety and security of British Nationals overseas is one of the Government's key concerns. This includes the safety of our staff.
	The security situation in Yemen is of concern and we judge that there is a high threat from terrorism.
	Our embassy is currently open and staff are back at work. However, both the security posture of our embassy and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s Travel Advice are regularly reviewed. Decisions are taken based on the latest intelligence and local information.
	For operational security reasons, I cannot go into detail on the measures in place at the embassy. The physical security of our embassies is also regularly reviewed by FCO expert staff.

Yemen: Hostages

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Yemeni counterpart on the release of the hostage Anthony S.

Ivan Lewis: UK officials and Ministers, both in London and in Sana'a, regularly discuss the kidnap, with a range of senior Yemeni officials.
	I raised the case most recently raised during my visit to Yemen on 2-4 February 2010. I met a number of senior Yemeni Ministers and officials, including President Saleh, Prime Minister Mujuwar and Deputy Prime Minister for Security Dr. Al Alimi.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary follows the case closely and has raised it in his meetings with Yemeni Ministers.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's role was in the commissioning and delivery of the turbine delivered to the Kajaki Dam in September 2008; whether his Department had lead responsibility for commissioning that project; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: I have been asked to reply.
	I am answering on behalf of the Secretary of State for International Development. The Kajaki Dam project in Helmand is financed by the United States Agency for International Development (US AID) and managed from their Office of Infrastructure, Engineering and Energy at the US embassy in Kabul. Further details can be found at USAID's website
	http://afghanistan.usaid.gov
	The Department for International Development had no role in the commissioning or delivery of the turbine delivered to the Kajaki Dam in September 2008 and has no responsibility for commissioning the project.

Departmental Chief Scientific Adviser

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development by what means the vacancy for the post of Departmental Chief Scientific Adviser was advertised following the departure of Professor Gordon Conway; and how many people from outside the Civil Service  (a) applied and  (b) were interviewed for the post.

Michael Foster: When Professor Gordon Conway left the Department for International Development (DFID) in June 2009, the post of Departmental Chief Scientific Adviser was merged with the Head of Research post to become the Chief Scientific Adviser and Director Research and Evidence.
	When the posts merged, and having sought advice from the Civil Service Commissioners, Professor Chris Whitty who had previously held the post of Head of Research, was confirmed in the new role.

Departmental Written Questions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 28 January 2010,  Official Report, column 1085W, on departmental written questions, by what mechanism his Department monitors its responses to parliamentary questions; what the target time for responses is; and how success against that target is measured.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development (DFID) uses an internal database to monitor the progress of parliamentary questions. DFID endeavours to answer all parliamentary questions within the deadlines set by Parliament, that is to answer all ordinary written questions within five days and all named day questions on the date specified. In the last reporting period of January 2010 DFID answered 100 per cent. of ordinary written and 94 per cent. of named day questions on time.

Haiti: Earthquakes

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the US administration on relief efforts for Haiti.

Michael Foster: In the early stages of the relief effort the Secretary of State for International Development held regular discussions with Dr. Rajiv Shah, the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID's) Administrator. At Dr. Rajiv Shah's request we deployed a liaison officer to the US Response Management Team based in USAID, Washington.
	Officials from the Department for International Development (DFID) are in regular contact with their US counterparts about all aspects of the humanitarian operation in Haiti. The Permanent Secretary has held discussions on the humanitarian response in Haiti with acting USAID Administrator Alonzo Fulgham. A humanitarian team of six people from DFID is also on the ground working closely with US, United Nations and European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) representatives.

Haiti: Earthquakes

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he has had discussions with the Government of Haiti on the protection of children orphaned as a result of the recent earthquake.

Michael Foster: The Secretary of State for International Development has not held discussions with the Government of Haiti on the protection of children orphaned as a result of the recent earthquake. The lead agency working for child protection in Haiti is the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The wellbeing of children, including orphaned children, is a primary concern of The Department for International Development (DFID) and our field team have met with UNICEF to discuss the issue of child protection. The UN in Haiti is working in coordination with the Haitian Government on all aspects of the relief effort.

Research

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's research budget was in each year since 2005-06; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: The annual centrally held research budget for the Department for International Development (DFID) for each since 2005-06 is presented in the following table:
	
		
			   Central research budget (£ million) 
			 2005-06 110 
			 2006-07 119 
			 2007-08 128.5 
			 2008-09 130 
			 2009-10 176

Sri Lanka: Internally Displaced Persons

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of progress in the release and resettlement of Tamil internally displaced persons by the Sri Lankan government; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 8 February 2010,  Official Report, column 724W, on Sri Lanka: Internally Displaced Persons.

Sudan: Overseas Aid

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of  (a) multi donor trust funds and  (b) other multilateral mechanisms for distributing aid in Sudan.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) recently conducted a country programme evaluation which addressed these questions. A copy of this evaluation will be placed in the Library as soon as it is published.

Sudan: Overseas Aid

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding will be allocated to each aid sector in Sudan in 2010.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) aims to respond flexibly to the evolving political and humanitarian situation in Sudan so many of our projects cover multiple sectors. We do, however, expect to spend approximately £48 million on humanitarian assistance and £92 million on longer term development assistance during the financial year 2010-11. In line with the UK's commitments on education for all and water and sanitation, we aim to spend £15 million on Education and £5 million on water projects in Sudan in the same financial year.

Sudan: Peace Negotiations

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he has discussed with his international counterparts extending the mandate of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission monitoring the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan.

Douglas Alexander: The Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) is mandated to monitor the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) until the end of the interim period of the CPA in July 2011. No decision on the future of the AEC beyond this period has yet been taken. During their respective visits to Sudan in October 2009 and January 2010, Minister of State, Mr. Thomas, and Baroness Kinnock raised a number of issues related to the end of the interim period. Baroness Kinnock also raised these issues with the UN, African Union (AU) and international partners at the recent AU Summit in Addis Ababa (31 January-2 February). We will continue to engage closely with international partners and the Sudanese as the matter arises.

Western Sahara: Overseas Aid

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the oral answer from the Prime Minister of 13 January 2010,  Official Report, column 688, on engagements, to which organisations the increased aid to the Western Sahara will be granted.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) supports Western Sahara through its share of the budget of the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO).

TRANSPORT

Aviation: Industrial Industries

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what steps he is taking to reduce the level of industrial injuries incurred by manual handling workers in the aviation industry.

Paul Clark: Primary responsibility for occupational safety matters rests with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The Department or Transport fully supports the efforts of HSE colleagues to develop measures to ensure that manual handling at UK airports is carried out in a way which does not adversely impact on the health and safety of handlers.

Blaydon

David Anderson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Blaydon constituency, the effects on Blaydon of his Department's policies and actions since 2000.

Sadiq Khan: The Transport Act 2000, as amended by the Local Transport Act 2008, has provided a new policy framework benefiting all local transport authorities. The framework gives greater certainty of funding, while encouraging more strategic transport planning with local consultation, and increasing local flexibility and discretion over resources. It was accompanied by a significant increase in capital funding: support from the Department for transport investment in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead, within which transport authority Blaydon falls, has more than doubled over the last decade.
	Investment in Tyne and Wear's Joint Local Transport Plan, to which Gateshead Council is a partner authority, has delivered a number of improvements to the quality, safety and accessibility of the local transport network. Between 2005 and 2008, bus patronage per head of population increased by 8 per cent, and the number of people killed or seriously injured on the local highway network decreased by 22 per cent. in the period 2001-07.
	In 2005, the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority, Nexus, submitted a successful bid to the Department for 'Kickstart' revenue funding of the 639 Gateshead Orbital bus service, operated by Go North-East. The £336,256 award facilitated the doubling of the daytime and early-evening frequency of the service from hourly to half-hourly. The improved service, featuring fully accessible vehicles, has significantly improved links between the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and areas of western Gateshead, including Blaydon.
	The £17 million Centrelink scheme was completed in 2005, providing enhanced public transport links between Gateshead town centre and the MetroCentre. The project included the construction of an £8.4 million busway and the reorganisation of the public transport interchange in Gateshead town centre to facilitate interchange between bus and Metro services. The project has had the complementary effect of removing large numbers of buses from shopping streets, thereby reducing congestion and improving the environment for pedestrians and shoppers.
	In July 2007, Gateshead council completed a £1 million upgrade to the A184 Felling bypass. The project included the widening of the road to a three-lane carriageway to provide space for a dedicated bus priority lane. The scheme has provided bus passengers with greater journey time reliability and forms part of Tyne and Wear's 'Superoute' network of Quality Bus Corridors, which generated patronage growth of 14 per cent. between 2002 and 2007.
	On 3 February 2010 the Department announced that it would provide around £580 million to the Tyne and Wear Metro for ongoing operating support and major infrastructure renewals to 2021.

Bridges: Accidents

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, Department or Transport what information his Department holds on  (a) the number of bridge strikes in other EU countries where metric height and width restriction signs are required and  (b) the number of such strikes involving UK lorry drivers in the last 12 months.

Sadiq Khan: holding answer 8 February 2010
	The Department for Transport does not hold this information.

Bus Services: Concessions

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners in Hemsworth who were in receipt of concessionary bus travel fares in  (a) 1997 and  (b) the latest period for which figures are available.

Sadiq Khan: The Department for Transport is not responsible for issuing passes and so does not maintain records of how many passes individual authorities have issued.
	Hemsworth is part of the West Yorkshire concessionary travel scheme. The last information held by the Department was that as of 12 January 2010, the West Yorkshire scheme had issued 443,642 smartcard concessionary passes. This includes passes issued to disabled people as well as those aged 60 and over. The Department holds no data about passes issued before the English National Concessionary Bus Travel Scheme was introduced in 2008.

Bus Services: Concessions

Alan Keen: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many pensioners in Feltham and Heston were in receipt of concessionary bus travel fares  (a) in 1997 and  (b) in the latest period for which figures are available.

Sadiq Khan: The Department for Transport is not responsible for issuing passes and so does not maintain records of how many passes individual authorities have issued.
	Feltham and Heston are part of the London boroughs concessionary travel scheme. The last information held by the Department was that as of 1 April 2009, the London boroughs had issued approximately 1.188 million smartcard concessionary passes. This includes passes issued to disabled people as well as those aged 60 and over. The Department holds no data about passes issued prior to this date.

Bus Services: Leicester

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when he expects to make an announcement on Leicester city council's bid for Kickstart funding for services in 2010-11.

Sadiq Khan: No date for the announcement of the outcome of the 2009 Kickstart scheme has yet been set. An announcement will be made in due course.

Departmental ICT

Nick Hurd: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department and its agencies have spent on font licensing in the last three years.

Chris Mole: The Driving Standards Agency spent £142 in 2007.

Departmental Information Officers

Nick Hurd: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many staff in his Department and its agencies have the status of  (a) embedded communicators and  (b) are members of the Government Communications Network and are not listed in the Central Office of Information White Book.

Chris Mole: The information requested is as follows.
	 (a) The full-time equivalent (FTE) number of communications staff embedded in policy and delivery units in the central Department and its executive agencies are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Communications staff embedded in policy and delivery units 
			   Staff (FTE) 
			 Department for Transport (Central) 9 
			 Driving Standards Agency 0 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 17.5 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency 0 
			 Highways Agency 1 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 0.75 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 0 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 3 
		
	
	 (b) The Government Communication Network (GCN) is a virtual network open to all full time civil servants engaged in a communications role. The Cabinet Office unit who administer the GCN are unable to share membership data without the permission of individual members. Gathering membership information within the Department to identify those who are not listed in the Central Office of Information White Book could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Manpower

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many performance reviews were undertaken in respect of staff of  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last five years; in how many cases performance was rated as unsatisfactory or below; how many staff left as a direct result of such a rating; and what percentage of full-time equivalent staff this represented.

Chris Mole: The number of performance reviews undertaken in the Department for Transport (including our Agencies) is shown in the following tables. Statistics on how many staff left as a result of an unsatisfactory marking are not held by the Department.
	
		
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			   Reviews  Unsatisfactory  Reviews  Unsatisfactory  Reviews  Unsatisfactory 
			 DFT(C) 1,944 27 1,837 14 1,769 25 
			 DVLA 7,050 30 7,174 7 6,913 27 
			 HA 1,829 5 2,189 11 2,691 4 
			 DSA n/a n/a 2,230 13 1,979 5 
			 MCA 1,355 5 1,438 1 1,362 0 
			 VOSA 2,644 9 2,472 9 2,448 10 
			 CGDA n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 VCA 125 0 130 0 135 0 
		
	
	
		
			   2008-09  2009-10 
			   Reviews  Unsatisfactory  Reviews  Unsatisfactory 
			 DFT(C) 1,596 18 In progress In progress 
			 DVLA 6,335 18 In progress In progress 
			 HA 2,971 22 In progress In progress 
			 DSA 2,027 9 In progress In progress 
			 MCA 1,466 1 In progress In progress 
			 VOSA 2,627 13 In progress In progress 
			 CGDA n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 VCA 140 0 In progress In progress 
			 n/a = not available

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Anne Milton: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what he expects the timetable to be for implementation of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's draft enforcement policy.

Paul Clark: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's revised enforcement strategy document is scheduled to be completed by the end of March. This strategy will seek to maximise collection of vehicle excise duty at minimum cost through encouraging compliance and using proportionate enforcement action where necessary. Most of the initiatives contained in the strategy are already in place. When finalised the strategy document will also set out proposed timescales for the implementation of new initiatives.

Driver Information Systems: Bridges

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what steps his Department has taken to ensure that accurate information on the  (a) location and  (b) height in metric and imperial measurements of low bridges is accessible to producers of satellite navigation systems.

Sadiq Khan: holding answer 8 February 2010
	None. Producers of satellite navigation systems are responsible for the accuracy of information provided in their products. Moreover, the onus remains on drivers to adhere to warnings and restrictions indicated by traffic signs.

First Capital Connect

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what meetings  (a) he and  (b) officials of his Department have had with First Capital Connect to discuss the break clause in the franchise agreement in the last three months.

Chris Mole: The Continuation Review period ran from November 2007 to November 2008, during which time my officials met with First Capital Connect regularly. The last meeting regarding the Continuation Review was held in February 2009, following the conclusion of that review.

First Capital Connect

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what performance targets First Capital Connect is required to meet before the break clause in the franchise agreement is considered on 1 April 2010.

Chris Mole: A Continuation Review took place pursuant to the terms of the franchise agreement from November 2007 to November 2008. At that time it was concluded that the franchise should be extended beyond the initial expiry date. Therefore there is no break clause in the franchise agreement to be considered on 1 April 2010 and consequently there are no performance targets associated with that date.
	Termination is however dealt with under Schedule 10.2 of the National Rail franchise terms. Performance targets and benchmarks which are used to measure this performance can be found at Appendices 5, 6 and 7 of the franchise agreement. The First Capital Connect franchise agreement and National Rail franchise terms can be found on the DFT website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/publicregister/current/fcc1/

First Capital Connect

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport which clauses in the franchise agreement in respect of First Capital Connect enable the Government to terminate the agreement due to  (a) cancellations of rail services,  (b) punctuality and  (c) performance.

Chris Mole: Termination of the franchise agreement is dealt with under Schedule 10.2 of the National Rail Franchise Terms.
	The events of default and termination event which could lead to termination of the franchise agreements are in Schedule 10.3 of the National Rail Franchise Terms. These include passenger service performance and the benchmarks which are used to measure this performance can be found at Appendices 5, 6 and 7 of the Franchise Agreement. The First Capital Connect Franchise Agreement and National Rail Franchise Terms can be found on the DFT website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/publicregister/current/fcc1/

First Capital Connect

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will consider bringing forward proposals for a remedial plan for the First Capital Connect franchise.

Chris Mole: In the event that we determine that First Capital Connect is contravening or is likely to contravene any term of their Franchise Agreement, we may serve notice requiring them to propose a remedial plan facilitating compliance with the term in question. We are reviewing First Capital Connect's performance on a daily basis.

Hemsworth

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to Hemsworth constituency, the effects on Hemsworth of his Department's policies and actions since 2000.

Sadiq Khan: The Transport Act 2000, as amended by the Local Transport Act 2008, has provided a new policy framework benefiting all local transport authorities. The framework gives greater certainty of funding, while encouraging more strategic transport planning with local consultation, and increasing local flexibility and discretion over resources. It was accompanied by a significant increase in capital funding: support from the Department for transport investment in the Metropolitan borough of Wakefield, within which transport authority Hemsworth falls, has doubled over the last decade.
	Investment in West Yorkshire's Joint Local Transport plan, to which Wakefield council is a partner authority, has delivered a number of improvements to the quality, safety and accessibility of the local transport network. Between 2006 and 2008, the percentage of local authority roads requiring structural maintenance decreased by 58 per cent. and the number of people killed or seriously injured on the local highway network decreased by 30 per cent. in the period 2001-07.
	In December 2003, the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority, Metro, submitted a successful £18.7 million bid to the Department for funding of the 'Mybus' project, which provides dedicated school transport to 133 schools throughout West Yorkshire, including Hemsworth Arts and Community college. Mybus has delivered a number of benefits, including reduced congestion, air pollution and accidents around schools, improved pupil behaviour on journeys to and from school, and enhanced educational performance and attendance. More than 10,000 pupils currently use the service, 64 per cent. of which previously travelled to school by car.
	The Wakefield 'Free City Bus' service was introduced by Metro and Wakefield council in April 2007, providing residents and visitors with a frequent and fully accessible service between the city's rail and bus interchanges and main shopping areas. Patronage of the service has far exceeded expectations, particularly for journeys to and from the Ings Road and Westgate Retail Parks, which were previously inaccessible by public transport. The introduction of the Free City Bus has resulted in a 5 per cent. increase in the number of people living within 30 minutes travel time of Wakefield city centre by public transport.
	The £24.2 million Hemsworth to A1 Link Road was completed in November 2009. The project was commissioned to promote the economic regeneration of the former coal and steel communities in the area by significantly improving their access to the strategic road network. The new section of road, between Hemsworth and the A638 at Upton, includes a link to the proposed South Kirkby Business Park.

Invalid Vehicles

Mark Harper: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2009,  Official Report, column 1902W, on invalid vehicles: insurance, when the survey his Department is procuring to help assess the number of mobility scooter users and the extent to which their use may have injured people will be  (a) completed and  (b) published.

Sadiq Khan: holding answer 5 February 2010
	Fieldwork for this survey took place during January 2010 and the Department expects to receive the survey data set during March 2010. It is likely that results will be published during the first half of the 2010-11 financial year, although a firm date has not yet been fixed.
	The survey focused primarily on public attitudes to regulatory issues around mobility scooters. Although a question was asked on injuries caused by mobility scooters, it is not yet clear whether the sample size will be sufficient to allow the publication of robust estimates on this issue.

London-Exeter Railway Line: Rolling Stock

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what plans he has to replace the  (a) Class 158 Express Sprinter and  (b) Class 159 South Western Turbo rolling stock operating between London and Exeter via Salisbury; what timetable he has set for replacement of that rolling stock; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport has no plans to replace the Class 158 Express Sprinter and the Class 159 South Western Turbo rolling stock operating between London and Exeter.

M25: Road Traffic

Adam Holloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport 
	(1)  what the average weekday vehicle delay in minutes per 10 miles was on the clockwise M25/A282 between junctions  (a) 29,  (b) 30,  (c) 31,  (d) 1a,  (e) 1b and  (f) 2 and junctions (i) 30, (ii) 31, (iii) 1a, (iv) 1b, (v) 2 and (vi) 3 in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what the average weekday vehicle delay in minutes per 10 miles was on the anti-clockwise M25/A282 between junctions  (a) 3,  (b) 2,  (c) 1b,  (d) 1a,  (e) 31 and  (f) 30 and junctions (i) 2, (ii) 1b, (iii) 1a, (iv) 31, (v) 30 and (vi) 29 in the last 12 months.

Chris Mole: Estimates for the average vehicle delay between each of the M25/A282 junctions above during the period December 2008-November 2009 are provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Road section  Average vehicle delay (minutes per 10 miles) 
			  Clockwise  
			 From junction 29 to 30 1.5 
			 From junction 30 to 31 4.7 
			 From junction 31 to 1a 11.0 
			 From junction 1a to 1b 0.1 
			 From junction 1b to 2 0.6 
			 From junction 2 to 3 0.6 
			   
			  Anti-clockwise  
			 From junction 3 to 2 2.1 
			 From junction 2 to 1b 2.9 
			 From junction 1b to 1a 8.6 
			 From junction 1a to 31 6.1 
			 From junction 31 to 30 0.4 
			 From junction 30 to 29 0.5 
		
	
	The dataset used to derive these estimates is primarily for operational use and does not undergo the same level of quality assurance as the dataset used to monitor progress against the Department for Transport's public service agreement indicator on journey time reliability on the strategic road network.

M25: Road Traffic

Adam Holloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport 
	(1)  what the average weekday vehicle delay in minutes per 10 miles was in respect of the slowest 10 per cent. of journeys on the clockwise M25/A282 between junctions  (a) 29,  (b) 30,  (c) 31,  (d) 1a,  (e) 1b and  (f) 2 and junctions (i) 30, (ii) 31, (iii) 1a, (iv) 1b, (v) 2 and (vi) 3 in respect of each 15 minute period between 6.00 am and 8.00 pm in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what the average weekday vehicle delay in minutes per 10 miles was in respect of the slowest 10 per cent. of journeys on the anti-clockwise M25/A282 between junctions  (a) 3,  (b) 2,  (c) 1b,  (d) 1a,  (e) 31 and  (f) 30 and junctions (i) 2, (ii) 1b, (iii) 1a, (iv) 31, (v) 30 and (vi) 29 in respect of each 15 minute period between 6.00 am and 8.00 pm in the last 12 months.

Chris Mole: Estimates for the average vehicle delay for the slowest 10 per cent. of journeys between each M25/A282 junction above, for each 15 minute period between 6.00 am and 8.00 pm during the period December 2008-November 2009 have been placed in the House Libraries.
	The dataset used to derive these estimates is primarily for operational use and does not undergo the same level of quality assurance as the dataset used to monitor progress against the Department for Transport's public service agreement indicator on journey time reliability on the strategic road network.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent research his Department and its agencies have undertaken on the average number of patrol vehicles required to attend incidents on motorways.

Chris Mole: The Highways Agency is currently undertaking operational research and development to provide a new software model to identify the optimum number of traffic officer patrols required to attend incidents on motorways. This operational research and development is due for delivery towards the end of 2010.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what information his Department and its agencies collect on the clearing of motorways following road traffic incidents.

Chris Mole: The Highways Agency routinely gathers the following information regarding the clearing of motorways following road traffic incidents where the Traffic Officer Service is involved in the management of the incident:
	the time the incident log is created;
	the time a traffic officer arrives at the scene of an incident;
	the type of incident;
	the time(s) that the incident scene is transferred to direct police control;
	the time(s) that the incident scene is transferred from direct police control;
	the time(s) that the carriageway is adversely affected by an incident, if the arrival of a traffic officer resource at the scene occurs before the time(s) that the carriageway became adversely affected;
	the time that the carriageway is reopened by the Traffic Officer Service.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what data his Department and its agencies collect on the average time taken to reopen a motorway following a closure resulting from a collision.

Chris Mole: The Highways Agency does not collect data on the average time taken to reopen a motorway following a closure resulting from a collision.
	The Agency sets Key Performance Indicators for its Traffic Officer Service. The Key Performance Indicator for incident clearance is the most accurate proxy measure of restoring traffic flow after an incident, i.e. when the road is reopened to traffic.
	The target for clear-up on heavily trafficked roads is 80 per cent. of incidents cleared within 40 minutes and 95 per cent. cleared within 90 minutes.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent estimate his Department has made of the average time taken between notification of an incident on the motorway and the reinstatement of normal traffic flow following that incident in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Chris Mole: The Highways Agency does not have the data to estimate the average time taken between notification of an incident on the motorway and the reinstatement of normal traffic flow following that incident.
	The Agency has found that after most incidents have been cleared, some congestion is highly likely, which diminishes over time until normal flow is resumed. This varies according to factors including the time of day and the location.
	The Agency sets Key Performance Indicators for its Traffic Officer Service. The Key Performance Indicator for incident clearance is the most accurate proxy measure of restoring traffic flow after an incident, i.e. when the road is reopened to traffic.
	The target for clear-up on heavily trafficked roads is 80 per cent. of incidents cleared within 40 minutes and 95 per cent. cleared within 90 minutes.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent steps his Department has taken to improve arrangements for communication between traffic officers and the police in respect of traffic incidents on the motorway.

Chris Mole: On-road traffic officers and the police utilise the Airwave radio service to communicate at incident scenes. The police also use Airwave to communicate directly with Highways Agency regional control centres. To add to this capability, the agency is progressing a programme of work to co-locate police service staff at agency regional control centres.
	The Highways Agency and the Association of Chief Police Officers recently launched a Traffic Incident Management Guidance Framework which outlines the roles and responsibilities of both parties when managing motorway incidents.
	Regular multi-agency exercises test operational capability, capture lessons learned and improve working relationships between the Highways Agency and other incident responders on a regional basis.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what key performance indicators have been set by his Department and its agencies for traffic officers on setting signs and signals to inform drivers of a motorway incident; and what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the system of setting signals to inform drivers of a motorway incident.

Chris Mole: Signs and signals setting by traffic officers is measured by two key performance indicators within the Highways Agency:
	 Signal and sign setting performance indicators
	Set 90 per cent. of appropriate signs and signals within three minutes of a traffic officer/police request being received and changed/removed within two minutes.
	All operators to achieve 90 per cent. pass on quality compliance checks for incident handling.
	The agency is unable to fully measure the effectiveness of the system of setting signs and signals to inform drivers of a motorway incident.
	But the agency has monitoring processes in place at the National Traffic Control Centre, through which it reviews the accuracy of variable message signs and puts corrective action in place when errors are identified.
	The agency undertakes National Road Users Satisfaction Surveys on a regular basis which includes questions regarding the accuracy of messages shown on variable message signs. These results are used to inform improvements to accuracy of messages.
	The Highways Agency information line also gathers real time feedback from road users and is able to check the accuracy of the set signs and signals.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent assessment his Department and its agencies have made of the effects on motorway incident clear-up times of the division of roles and responsibilities between the Highways Agency and the police; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole: There has been no assessment of how motorway incident clear-up times have been affected following the realignment of roles and responsibilities of the Highways Agency and the Police in 2004.
	An assessment of how the realignment of the roles and responsibilities has impacted motorway clear-up times would require performance data indicative of how effectively motorway clear-up was performed prior to the realignment of roles and responsibilities. This data is not available to the Agency and therefore it is not possible to make a comparison.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport 
	(1)  what his most recent estimate is of the average time taken to remove a vehicle from a motorway following a collision;
	(2)  what his most recent estimate is of the average time taken to remove an abandoned vehicle from a motorway.

Chris Mole: Where a traffic officer arranges for a vehicle to be removed from the carriageway as part of the National Vehicle Recovery Programme, performance targets are in place.
	In November 2009 81 per cent. of light vehicles classified as 'immediate priority' were removed within 45 minutes. 99.9 per cent. of all vehicles classified as 'immediate priority' were removed within 120 minutes. 82 per cent. of light vehicles classified as 'routine' were removed within 45 minutes. 100 per cent. of all vehicles classified as 'routine' were removed within 120 minutes.
	The response time information only relates to the vehicle removal component of the incident, for those incidents involving a vehicle where a traffic officer has arranged for removal on the Strategic Road Network. The Department for Transport does not hold response time information for those vehicles removed by the police or where the owner of the vehicle makes their own suitable recovery arrangements.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what key performance indicators his Department has set in respect of the duration of motorway closures following traffic incidents; and what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce the time taken to re-open a motorway after such an incident.

Chris Mole: The Highways Agency has set key performance indicators for the traffic officer service in respect of incident response times and incident clearance times.
	The Agency has introduced a number of initiatives aimed at reducing the incident time-line. These include loan of collision investigation equipment to the police, introduction of the Traffic Incident Management Guidance Framework, Enhanced Incident Support Units, availability of specialist equipment and resources and the National Vehicle Recovery Contract.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what key performance indicators have been set by his Department and its agencies for traffic officers in respect of incident clear-up times on motorways following traffic incidents.

Chris Mole: The Highways Agency has set the following key performance indicators in respect of incident clear-up times on motorways following traffic incidents:
	 Incident clearance times performance indicators( 1)
	Between 6 am and 10 pm on heavily trafficked roads, clear 80 per cent. of immediate graded(2) incidents from all live lanes within 40 minutes.
	Between 6 am and 10 pm on lightly trafficked roads, clear 80 per cent. of immediate graded incidents from all live lanes within 45 minutes.
	Between 6 am and 10 hrs on heavily trafficked roads, clear 95 per cent. of immediate graded incidents from all live lanes within 90 minutes.
	Between 6 am and 10 am on lightly trafficked roads, clear 95 per cent. of immediate graded incidents from all live lanes within 95 minutes.
	(1) Incident clearance is defined and recorded where Traffic Officer Service is involved in the management of the incidents.
	(2) An immediate graded incident is one where there is an obstruction on or related to the live carriageway that is likely to cause congestion or threaten safety.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the average time taken was between the notification of a regional control centre of a motorway traffic incident and the arrival of the traffic officer service at the scene of that incident in each of the last 10 years; and what performance indicators are in place in respect of that response time.

Chris Mole: The traffic officer service has only been fully operational nationally since 2007. While some regional data exists on response time prior to October 2006, the incomplete data cannot be used to calculate the average time.
	The following table shows the average time taken between the notification of a regional control centre of a motorway traffic incident and the arrival of the traffic officer service:
	
		
			   Average immediate response times over a 24 hour period  (minutes) 
			 1 October 2006 to 31 March 2007 9.4 
			 2007-08 9.2 
			 2008-09 9.3 
		
	
	The figures illustrated in the table above show the average response time for the Traffic Officer Service to attend incidents classified as 'immediate'. An 'immediate graded incident' is one where there is an obstruction on or related to the live carriageway that is likely to cause congestion or threaten safety.
	The Highways Agency has not set a key performance indicator for the average time taken between the notification to a regional control centre of a motorway traffic incident and the arrival of the traffic officer service at the scene. This aspect of performance is addressed as part of the indicators for the clearance of incidents from all live lanes.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many staff of his Department are employed  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time on research for the purposes of reducing incident clear-up times on motorways.

Chris Mole: The Highways Agency manages research into incident clear up times on motorways. The Highways Agency currently has six full-time staff who spend on average approximately 10 per cent. of their time working on research into reducing incident clear up times on motorways.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what trials using laser-surveying equipment his Department has undertaken for the purposes of reducing motorway incident clear-up times.

Chris Mole: The Highways Agency is currently working closely with Humberside, Sussex and the Metropolitan police forces to trial laser-surveying equipment. This trial will establish what benefits can be provided with respect to reducing the time it takes the police to carry out the investigation of fatal or serious injury incidents on the motorway. The final evaluation of the laser-surveying trial will be completed in 2011.

Motorways: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department and its agencies have spent on  (a) research and  (b) trials of equipment for the purposes of reducing motorway incident clear-up times on motorways in the last five years.

Chris Mole: The Highways Agency manages research into incident clear up times on motorways. In the last five years (from financial year 2005-06 up to and including the current financial year) the Highways Agency has invested approximately £0.507 million on research and £0.154 million on trials to improve incident clear up times on motorways.

Motorways: Accidents

Andrew Smith: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent assessment his Department has made of the effects on accident rates of spray on  (a) motorways and  (b) other principal roads.

Chris Mole: There were 421 personal injury accidents on our trunk road network in the three year period 2006 to 2008 where spray was noted by the police as a contributory factor. Of the 421 personal injury accidents, there were 262 on motorways and 159 on 'A Class' trunk roads associated with 'spray from other vehicles'.
	There is no ongoing or recently completed research into the effects of spray on accident rates on motorways or other principal roads.
	In 2008, joint research by the Highways Agency and the road surfacing industry attempted to measure spray levels on different road surfaces on motorways and trunk roads with varying rainfall conditions but was inconclusive as the available technology could not provide a feasible way of measuring spray levels.

Motorways: Rain

Andrew Smith: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent research his Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the effects on the generation of spray during heavy rainfall of different motorway surfaces.

Chris Mole: There is no ongoing or recently completed research into the effects of spray during heavy rainfall on motorway surfaces. Previous research has highlighted the difficulty in establishing clear evidence from accident records data of the contribution of spray to an accident.

Motorways: Road Traffic

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what assessment his Department and its agencies have made of the effects on the level of motorway congestion of the implementation of the traffic officer service.

Chris Mole: A Highways Agency progress review of traffic officer service in 2007 included an assessment of the quantitative benefits of the service.
	The review concluded that overall a periodic delay was about 11 per cent. lower than expected in 2006 compared with 2003. A periodic delay is the element of congestion that the traffic office service is expected to improve through early detection and clearance of incidents on the motorway network.
	Although overall delays increased over this period, the element associated with detection and clearance of incidents increased less than would otherwise have been expected.
	A Department for Transport review in 2009 stated the 2007 benefits had been reviewed by Department economists and were confirmed as being robust.

Railways: Standards

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what steps he plans to take to improve the performance of the railway industry; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole: Targets to improve the performance of train operating companies are written into the franchises let by the Department for Transport.
	Targets to improve the performance of Network Rail are written into the settlement they agree with the Office of Rail Regulation.
	The performance of all aspects of the rail industry is monitored by the Department for Transport through the cross-industry Performance Delivery Group which is chaired by Ministers.
	Performance on the rail network has consistently improved each year for the last eight years. Punctuality has risen from 75 per cent. to over 91 per cent. currently. The rail industry has been set a target to improve this further to 92.6 per cent. by March 2014.

Road Signs and Markings: Health Services

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will assess the merits of placing on motorways and major roads direction signs to NHS Urgent Care Centres; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole: The Government's policy is that hospitals (including those with accident and emergency and minor injury units) and other medical facilities are not normally signed from motorways and other trunk roads.
	For operational reasons there are a number of junctions on the all-purpose trunk road where hospitals (including those without accident and emergency facilities) have been signed. These signs have been approved by exception in situations where road users have to take a different route than expected or where there may be two hospitals in close proximity that could confuse the road user, particularly if one has an accident and emergency department and the other does not.
	Providing signs on the motorway and primary route network to accident and emergency or urgent care centres would require a considerable number of extra signs and could result in some road users missing existing safety-critical signs.

Roads: Accidents

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many road accidents resulted in the death or serious injury of  (a) an adult and  (b) a child in (i) Lewes constituency and (ii) East Sussex in each year since 1994.

Paul Clark: The information requested can be found in the following tables.
	
		
			  Reported road accidents involving killed or seriously injured adults and children in Lewes constituency( 1) : 1994  to  2008 
			   Accidents involving a killed or seriously injured adult( 2)  Accidents involving a killed or seriously injured child( 3)  All accidents involving a killed or seriously injured casualty( 4,5) 
			 1994 67 6 71 
			 1995 69 6 73 
			 1996 78 6 83 
			 1997 70 9 78 
			 1998 58 8 66 
			 1999 80 7 88 
			 2000 68 2 72 
			 2001 55 2 57 
			 2002 74 5 82 
			 2003 52 2 54 
			 2004 45 4 48 
			 2005 46 5 49 
			 2006 68 6 71 
			 2007 73 5 77 
			 2008 67 3 68 
			 (1) Based on 2004 constituency boundary. (2) Aged 16 years and over. (3) Aged 0 to 15 years. (4) Includes cases where age was not recorded. (5) Accidents can involve both adult and child casualties, so rows may not add up to their total. 
		
	
	
		
			  Reported road accidents involving killed or seriously injured adults and children in East Sussex County: 1994  to  2008 
			   Accidents involving a killed or seriously injured adult( 1)  Accidents involving a killed or seriously injured child( 2)  All accidents involving a killed or seriously injured casualty( 3,4) 
			 1994 484 74 549 
			 1995 455 59 510 
			 1996 544 73 605 
			 1997 448 61 503 
			 1998 449 63 517 
			 1999 455 51 508 
			 2000 429 69 501 
			 2001 388 36 428 
			 2002 422 50 478 
			 2003 424 35 464 
			 2004 359 51 410 
			 2005 421 46 463 
			 2006 461 42 499 
			 2007 452 39 484 
			 2008 444 45 483 
			 (1) Aged 16 years and over. (2) Aged 0 to 15 years. (3) Includes cases where age was not recorded. (4) Accidents can involve both adult and child casualties, so rows may not add up to their total.

Roads: Snow and Ice

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether he has had discussions with the Local Government Association on the state of repair of local authority roads following the recent severe weather conditions; and what mechanisms are in place to ensure that local authorities carry out their duties in respect of road maintenance.

Sadiq Khan: I attended the Local Government Association's Regeneration and Transport Board on 21 January, where the repair of roads following the severe weather was raised. The Local Government Association has subsequently written to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis, picking up on some of the points made in discussion.
	Local highway authorities have a duty, under s41 of the Highways Act 1980, to maintain the roads in their charge. As with authorities' other duties, there is a range of democratic and legal scrutinies to expose the extent to which they are discharging that remit.

Rolling Stock

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what assessment he has made of the remaining serviceable life period of the  (a) Class 158 Express Sprinter and  (b) Class 159 South Western Turbo rolling stock; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the remaining serviceable life of the Class 158 and Class 159. This would be a matter for the rolling stock leasing company.

Southeastern Rail Franchise

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will discuss with Southeastern Trains management the postponement of the high speed passenger rail service to St Pancras until the regular service runs to timetable.

Chris Mole: We have no plans to postpone the high-speed services to and from St. Pancras. The implementation of the high-speed service has been successful. This service delivers significant journey time improvements of up to 46 minutes for commuters in Kent. These trains have been well used since the full service, was introduced from 13 December 2009.
	The train service reliability problems that have arisen since December 2009 have been related to adverse weather and infrastructure problems, not the operation of high-speed services.

Southeastern Rail Franchise

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will review the award of the Southeastern rail franchise.

Chris Mole: As is the case for all rail franchises, the Department for Transport will continue to review the performance of the Southeastern franchise against the requirements of its Franchise Agreement.

Speed Limits: Cameras

Greg Knight: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will require each local authority seeking to install speed cameras on motorways passing through that local authority's area to use the money raised in consequence of the operation of such cameras to install lighting on motorways throughout that area.

Chris Mole: The Highways Agency is responsible for maintaining and operating the motorway network including installing speed cameras and lighting.
	Lighting on motorways would only be considered where safety benefits gained from the lighting will exceed the whole-life costs of installation, operating and maintaining it.
	Fine revenue from speeding offences goes directly to HM Treasury.

Traffic Officers

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many patrol vehicles were in operation on the motorway network on the latest date for which figures are available.

Chris Mole: Figures for week commencing Monday 21 December 2009 show that 113 patrol vehicles were deployed for each of the two day shifts and 64 patrol vehicles were deployed for the night shift.
	The patrol routes include the motorway network and a small number of specific sections of all purpose trunk roads in England.

Traffic Officers

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what assessment has been made of the performance of the traffic officer service since its implementation; what recent steps his Department and its agencies have taken to increase the effectiveness of that service; and when he next plans to review the roles of traffic officers.

Chris Mole: The traffic officer service was established between 2004 and 2007. A review of the service was completed in April 2009 and recognised that performance of the service was in line with expectations in terms of the contribution towards reduced congestion, improved safety and the freeing up of police time.
	The effectiveness of the service has been enhanced since becoming fully operational with the introduction of a number of initiatives. These include:
	the introduction of key performance indicators;
	the national vehicle recovery manager contract which has resulted in improvements to the removal of abandoned and collision damaged vehicles;
	the co-location of the police control room staff in the regional control centres enabling improved incident management; and
	an award-winning training scheme improving the traffic officer service capability.
	There are no current plans to further review the roles of the traffic officers.

Traffic Officers: Expenditure

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department and its agencies spent on  (a) fuel and  (b) maintenance for patrol vehicles in each of the last three years.

Chris Mole: The Vehicle Operator Services Agency and the Highways Agency use patrol vehicles; however, spend information on fuel and maintenance for patrol vehicles is not recorded separately and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Where information is available it has been set out as follows:
	The Vehicle Operator Services Agency spend on fuel for patrol vehicles from October 2008 to September 2009 was £161,467 and spend on maintenance of patrol vehicles from October 2008 to September 2009 was £164,343.
	The Highways Agency spend on fuel for patrol vehicles was £2,340,000 in 2006-07, £2,016,000 in 2007-08 and £2,772,000 in 2008-09. Vehicles are provided on a lease basis which includes the lease and maintenance costs which cannot be separated. The lease cost for patrol vehicles was £2,305,000 in 2006-07, £2,337,000 in 2007-08 and £3,118,000 in 2008-09. For 2008-09 approximately one-third of the lease cost was for maintenance. The increase in costs is largely as a result of the growth in the number of traffic officer patrols as the service was rolled out across the motorway network in England.
	The Maritime and Coastguard Agency does not use patrol vehicles but has vehicles that are used in response to incidents.

Traffic Officers: Expenditure

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the cost of patrol vehicles maintenance has been in each year since the introduction of the traffic officer service.

Chris Mole: Traffic officer vehicles are provided on a lease basis and the Highways Agency is charged a monthly fee that comprises costs for both lease and maintenance. The annual spend since 2004 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Financial year  Lease/maintenance (£000) 
			 2004-05 272 
			 2005-06 1,369 
			 2006-07 2,305 
			 2007-08 2,337 
			 2008-09 3,118 
		
	
	For 2008-09 approximately one third of the lease cost was for maintenance.
	The increase in costs is largely as a result of the growth in the number of traffic officer patrols as the service was rolled out across the motorway network in England.

Traffic Officers: Expenditure

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department and its agencies had spent on the traffic officer service on the latest date for which figures are available.

Chris Mole: The expenditure on the traffic officer service is not separately identified in the annual report and accounts of the Highways Agency. An extract of the management accounts has been used to provide the information requested.
	The Highways Agency has spent the following on the provision of the traffic officer service, from inception to the latest audited accounts.
	
		
			  Financial year  Expenditure (£ million) 
			 2004-05 56.1 
			 2005-06 90.0 
			 2006-07 78.6 
			 2007-08 79.2 
			 2008-09 85.8 
		
	
	The early years include the set-up costs for the service. The service was rolled out across the regions, reaching full coverage in October 2006 with the first full year of operation being 2007-08.

Traffic Officers: Training

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what his most recent estimate is of the average cost to his Department and its agencies of training a traffic officer to the standard required to discharge duties effectively in the latest period for which figures are available.

Chris Mole: Traffic officers operate primarily either on the road or in a regional control centre and the training requirement for each role is different. The average cost of training for each role is:
	
		
			   £ 
			 On road 4,500 
			 Off road 5,000 
		
	
	This cost covers initial off the job training, followed by on the job coaching to ensure that new recruits can operate safely and competently in a live environment.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Departmental Billing

Vincent Cable: To ask the Solicitor-General what estimate she has made of the average length of time taken by  (a) the Law Officers' Departments and  (b) its agency to pay invoices from (i) small and medium-sized enterprises and (ii) all creditors in the last 12 months.

Vera Baird: The Law Officers' Departments and agency are committed to the ongoing improvement of their payment systems in order to meet the Government's target of paying invoices within 10-days of receipt, as announced by the Prime Minister in 2008. Recent changes to payment systems have led to some small gains in performance over the last year, with approximately 76 per cent. of all invoices submitted to the Law Officers' Departments in November 2009 being paid within 10-days of receipt as compared to just over 73 per cent. in January 2009. It is anticipated that these improvements will increase once the new arrangements are fully embedded.
	We do not differentiate payments by supplier size as we aim to pay all suppliers within 10-days.

Hotels

Nick Hurd: To ask the Solicitor-General how many separate bookings at hotels graded five star or above were made through the Expotel booking service by the Law Officers' Departments in the latest year for which figures are available; and at what cost such bookings were made.

Vera Baird: The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) routinely uses the Expotel service to book hotels for officials engaged on official business, and in the last calendar year booked a hotel rated at 5 stars or above on 12 occasions at a total cost of £3760 (an average of £139.25 per night). This was approximately 1.3 per cent. of all bookings made. As a Government Department the SFO is able to negotiate rates well below commercial ones, and would only select 5 star ratings should other ratings not be available or suitable.
	The remaining Law Officers' Departments have made no bookings using Expotel for stays in hotels graded 'five star' or above during this period.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what criteria his Department is using to evaluate the effectiveness of the Carbon Reduction Commitment.

Joan Ruddock: Government will monitor the carbon reductions and the energy savings through the reporting mechanisms of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme itself. These data will be public. We will also undertake work during the first phase which will consider the overall costs and benefits (including total cost savings) to participants. In the longer term, the effectiveness of the CRC in reducing carbon emissions will be determined by the emissions cap which will apply from 2013. In setting the cap, Government will consider advice from the Committee on Climate Change later this year, the available cost-effective emissions reductions and the potential in the CRC sector to contribute to achieving our carbon budgets.

Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many  (a) positive and  (b) negative responses there were to the consultation on implementation of the Carbon Reduction Commitment.

Joan Ruddock: The majority of respondents to the 2006 consultation agreed with the outline proposals for what has become the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
	The details of the proposed scheme were set out in the 2009 Consultation on the Draft Order to implement the scheme. There were 276 respondents who addressed 65 questions. Of the 8,179 responses 5,556 were positive; 2,254 indicated concern either with the proposed policy or the associated legal drafting; and 369 were registered as don't know.
	A full breakdown of responses to the March 2009 Consultation on the Draft Order to implement the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme was published on 7 October 2009 and is available on the DECC website:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/crc/crc.aspx

Email

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department's policy is on the deletion of emails; and what mechanism is in place to ensure adherence to guidance issued to departments by the National Archives on electronic records management.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 4 February 2010
	DECC was created in November 2008 from parts of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Department for Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). Both Departments had in place their own policies and procedures for electronic records management, including email deletion, which my Department has largely adopted while we develop our own policies and procedures.
	 Deletion of emails
	The policy for DECC staff who moved from BIS, and staff new to the Department, is for emails to be automatically deleted after 12 months. The policy for staff who moved from DEFRA is for emails to be kept with no automatic deletion, however at the point of joining DECC, the emails were subject to the DEFRA deletion policy of three years. I anticipate that from April 2010 the Department will be adopting a single policy for all, which will include emails being automatically deleted after 12 months.
	 Electronic records management
	The Department is implementing electronic records management based on a software product recommended by The National Archives. My officials continue to work with The National Archives to help us be consistent with their guidance.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether those instructed to act for his Department in litigation relating to miner's knee have made an assessment of the prospects of success of defending the claims.

David Kidney: As this matter is before the courts it would not be appropriate to comment. A preliminary issues trial on 'Limitation' will commence on 28 June 2010 and has been listed for five weeks. This will be important to help shape the way forward for this case.
	For compensation to be payable as a result of the litigation, it must be established that British Coal were negligent as an employer and that the injuries suffered by their employees were caused by that negligence.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what expenditure his Department has incurred to date on preparing for miner's knee litigation.

David Kidney: The Department's costs and disbursements on defending the miners' knee litigation are £6,537,104.32 at 5 February 2010. The majority of these costs relate to the Department's obligations for document disclosure to the claimants.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Employers' Duties (Registration and Compliance) Regulations 2010

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what factors  (a) were taken into account in determining the level of the fixed penalty prescribed in regulation 12 of the Employers' Duties (Registration and Compliance) Regulations 2010 and  (b) are taken into account in determining the level of initial penalty notices issued by HM Revenue and Customs;
	(2)  what assessment her Department has made of the level of fixed penalty notices prescribed in Regulation 12 of the Employers' Duties (Registration and Compliance) Regulations 2010.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 29 January 2010
	The factors taken into account in determining the level of the fixed penalty are set out on pages 53 to 55 of the Government Response to the Consultation 'Workplace Pension Reform - Completing the Picture', available at:
	www.dwp.gov.uk/workplace-pension-reforms
	The Regulator will consult with interested stakeholders and publish its enforcement strategy later this year.
	The purpose of tax penalties is to encourage taxpayers to fulfil their obligations on time, and to re-assure those who do comply that they will not be disadvantaged by those who do not. Penalty levels have been set so that they provide a fair, proportionate and effective incentive to taxpayers to meet their obligations. This approach has been the subject of wide consultation and received a generally favourable response.

Review of Equality 2025

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 40-42WS, on the publication of the report of the Review of Equality 2025, for what reasons the report of the review has not been published immediately; and on what date it will be published.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 28 January 2010
	As outlined in the written ministerial statement of 10 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 40-42WS, on the publication of the report of the Review of Equality 2025, the report of the Review of Equality 2025 was not published immediately to allow officials in the Office for Disability Issues time to fully consider and implement the recommendations in the report. We are committed to publishing the report and the document will be available by summer 2010.

Unemployment: Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the population of Milton Keynes is in receipt of jobseeker's allowance.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated February 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what proportion of the population of Milton Keynes is in receipt of jobseeker's allowance. (315375).
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles the number of claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) from the Jobcentre Plus administrative system.
	The proportion of the working age population (men aged 16-64, women aged 16-59) resident in the local authority of Milton Keynes claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for December 2009, was 4.5 per cent.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Affordable Housing

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average price of a home purchased through the  (a) HomeBuy Direct,  (b) New Build homebuy,  (c) Open Market homebuy,  (d) First Time Buyers' Initiative and  (e) Social homebuy was in each region in each year since 2005.

John Healey: The following tables show the average value of properties purchased through New Build homebuy, Open Market homebuy and Social homebuy in each region from 2005-06 to 2008-09.
	
		
			  New Build  homebuy 
			  £ 
			  Average property values:  2008-09  2007-08  2006-07  2005-06 
			 North East 134,240 135,090 128,970 128,860 
			 North West 130,810 132,560 125,190 123,970 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 123,190 125,100 124,530 126,580 
			 East Midlands 133,660 128,070 122,340 114,620 
			 West Midlands 141,910 141,230 136,810 125,420 
			 East of England 163,910 166,490 150,850 143,450 
			 London 222,700 221,080 204,610 190,990 
			 South East 177,930 173,840 164,250 156,410 
			 South West 153,180 154,730 148,130 142,280 
		
	
	
		
			  Open Market  homebu y 
			  £ 
			  Average property values:  2008-09  2007-08  2006-07 
			 North East n/a 111,870 n/a 
			 North West n/a 121,210 n/a 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 139,980 142,850 135,010 
			 East Midlands 132,760 130,850 120,700 
			 West Midlands 129,040 125,240 113,110 
			 East of England 160,810 154,430 145,250 
			 London 199,150 189,990 191,950 
			 South East 171,060 172,930 153,880 
			 South West 150,840 149,810 152,350 
		
	
	
		
			  Social  homebuy 
			  £ 
			  Average property values:  2008-09  2007-08  2006-07 
			 North East n/a n/a n/a 
			 North West 81,000 82,470 115,980 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber n/a n/a 63,080 
			 East Midlands n/a n/a n/a 
			 West Midlands n/a 135,100 n/a 
			 East of England n/a n/a n/a 
			 London 210,190 227,860 223,270 
			 South East n/a 153,910 n/a 
			 South West n/a 145,580 n/a 
			 n/a = Not available due to no sales or small sample size of less than five.  Source: CORE (Continuous Recording) sales returns from registered social landlords to the Tenant Services Authority (TSA). 
		
	
	HomeBuy Direct commenced in 2008-09, but no sales were made in that financial year. Data on Open Market homebuy and Social homebuy are not held centrally prior to 2005-06.
	Figures for the sales under the First Time Buyers Initiative are not recorded separately on the CORE return but will be subsumed within other shared ownership categories.
	The property price figures are based on the total property price, not the amount paid by the purchaser, which would be to purchase a share of the property.

Affordable Housing

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average income of a household purchasing a property through the  (a) HomeBuy Direct, ( b) New Build homebuy,  (c) Open Market homebuy,  (d) First Time Buyers' Initiative and  (e) Social homebuy was in each region in each year since 2005.

John Healey: The average income of households purchasing through New Build homebuy, Open Market homebuy and Social homebuy in each region from 2005-06 to 2008-09 is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  New  B uild homebuy 
			  £ 
			  Average household income:  2008-09  2007-08  2006-07  2005-06 
			 North East 10,300 16,360 13,530 13,540 
			 North West 14,910 15,250 15,610 14,740 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 10,040 14,750 13,310 13,690 
			 East Midlands 14,940 16,010 15,020 15,820 
			 West Midlands 16,210 16,550 15,800 16,760 
			 East of England 18,910 20,550 19,200 20,350 
			 London 23,710 24,010 23,600 21,380 
			 South East 20,190 19,620 19,880 20,590 
			 South West 17,250 18,260 18,030 18,490 
		
	
	
		
			  Open Market  homebuy 
			  £ 
			  Average household income:  2008-09  2007-08  2006-07 
			 North East n/a 14,120 n/a 
			 North West n/a 17,620 n/a 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 20,290 19,360 16,570 
			 East Midlands 20,660 22,220 17,380 
			 West Midlands 21,280 20,060 18,900 
			 Eastern 22,860 25,340 21,280 
			 London 30,390 25,010 n/a 
			 South East 23,550 27,480 24,490 
			 South West 22,470 22,480 22,050 
		
	
	
		
			  Social  h ome b uy 
			  £ 
			  Average household income:  2008-09  2007-08  2006-07 
			 North East n/a 18,650 17,370 
			 North West 10,720 n/a 16,950 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber n/a n/a n/a 
			 East Midlands n/a n/a n/a 
			 West Midlands n/a n/a n/a 
			 East of England n/a 30,400 30,520 
			 London 26,150 19,300 n/a 
			 South East n/a 20,230 n/a 
			 South West n/a n/a n/a 
			 n/a = Not available due to no sales or small sample size which provides unreliable estimates.  Source:  CORE (Continuous Recording) returns from registered social landlords to the Tenant Services Authority (TSA). 
		
	
	HomeBuy Direct commenced in 2008-09, but no sales were made in that financial year. Data on Open market homebuy and Social homebuy are not held centrally prior to 2005-06.
	Figures for the sales under the First Time Buyers Initiative are not recorded separately on the CORE return but will be subsumed within other shared ownership categories.
	The household income figures are calculated from the monthly take home pay figures, which are based on net earnings from any paid work. These figures do not include income from benefits such as income support, child benefit, child tax credit, or any payments received from the Child Support Agency (CSA).

Affordable Housing

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent by his Department on the  (a) HomeBuy Direct,  (b) New Build homebuy,  (c) Open Market homebuy,  (d) First Time Buyers' Initiative and  (e) Social homebuy in each region in each year since 2005.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right. hon. Friend the Member for Derby South (Margaret Beckett) on 21 May 2009,  Official Report, column 1540W.
	The following table shows final figures for each product by region for 2008-09:
	
		
			  2008-09 
			  £ million 
			  Product  Open market homebuy  New  b uild homebuy  First time buyers initiative  Social homebuy  Rent to homebuy 
			 North East 0.63 2.61 1.29 0.06 0.65 
			 North West 5.69 7.48 5.57 0.20 7.74 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 7.20 3.39 1.94 0.01 4.44 
			 East Midlands 5.94 1.09 1.15 0.00 9.44 
			 West Midlands 9.93 17.33 2.90 0.09 4.71 
			 Eastern 32.05 15.43 5.02 0.03 9.32 
			 London 69.13 93.91 6.31 0.46 42.04 
			 South East 57.40 35.67 7.00 0.12 4.91 
			 South West 19.27 11.43 3.39 0.00 4.58 
			 Total 207.24 188.34 34.56 0.97 87.83 
			  Source: Homes and Communities Agency 
		
	
	Information on expenditure on these products for 2009-10 will be available after the end of the financial year.

Affordable Housing

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on the provision of affordable housing.

John Healey: Building Britain's Future launched on 29 June 2009, set out that meeting local housing needs is at the heart of our vision for the future of Britain. We are making available £1.5 billion additional investment in new affordable housing in the Housing Pledge, committing to a fairer deal in housing allocation, and giving local authorities a central role in delivery.
	We are focused on early delivery to meet urgent housing need, support recovery, and restart construction. The new funding will deliver 20,000 new affordable homes over two years of which over 13,000 will be for social rent.
	In total, this additional money in the Housing Pledge means we are investing some £7.5 billion over the two years 2009-11 to provide 112,000 affordable homes over these two years.

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in what locations the Audit Commission held away days for its staff in the last 36-months outside its premises; and at what cost in each case.

Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 9 February 2010:
	Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
	The Audit Commission does not hold 'away days'. None of our events off site are for leisure or recreational purposes.
	The Commission has over 2,000 staff located throughout England. It is necessary to bring staff together on occasions to ensure the effectiveness of operational delivery and employee relations. The Commission only has staff meetings where there is a specific business purpose. The purpose may be to review strategy, improve communications, improve organisational cohesion or address a specific operational issue.
	Most meetings are held in Commission offices. On occasions meetings are held in other premises for one or more reasons including (a) the meeting facilities in our offices are not big enough for the numbers involved; (b) the meeting facilities are unavailable because of other bookings; (c) the meeting requires specialist facilities; (d) an external venue is chosen to best accommodate staff travelling from various parts of the country, access by public transport and attendance by non Commission staff including stakeholders and other inspectorates; and (e) an external environment is deemed most appropriate for that meeting.
	A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard.

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which body  (a) inspects,  (b) audits and  (c) oversees complaints in relation to the Audit Commission.

Rosie Winterton: The Audit Commission is not inspected, although it does have to lay the annual report of its activities before Parliament. The Audit Commission is audited by the National Audit Office. The Audit Commission operates a three stage complaints system, with the first two stages being internal within the organisation and the third stage being provided by the Independent Complaints Reviewer.

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what external public affairs companies the Audit Commission has hired since 1997; for what purposes; and at what cost in each case.

Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 9 February 2010:
	Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
	The Audit Commission hired three external public affairs companies, Lexington Communications, Consolidated Communications and Connect Public Affairs, during the period 2003/04 to 2009/10. Each were contracted to provide parliamentary and political monitoring and research support. The contract value for each is shown in the attached table. Unfortunately we do not hold this information prior to 2003.
	A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard.
	
		
			  Table-Cost of hiring external public affairs companies 
			  £ 
			   Financial year  
			  Supplier  2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08  2008/09  2009/10  Supplier totals 
			 Lexington Communications - 61,260 35,000 - - - - 96,260 
			 Consolidated Communications 2,500 - 23,100 36,300 56,319 21,277 - 139,496 
			 Connect Public Affairs - - - - - 27,595 33,395 60,954

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Audit Commission paid in  (a) parking fines and  (b) congestion charge fines in each of the last three years.

Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 9 February 2010:
	Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
	The Audit Commission has not paid any parking fines or congestion charge fines in the last three years. Responsibility for paying these fines falls to those members of staff that have incurred them.
	A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard.

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what unsolicited communications the Audit Commission has made to Conservative  (a) councillors,  (b) hon. Members,  (c) Prospective Parliamentary Candidates and  (d) peers in relation to (i) Comprehensive Area Assessment and (ii) Conservative Party policy on the issue.

Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 9 February 2010:
	Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
	The Audit Commission has sent five communications in relation to Comprehensive Area Assessment to all elected members of English district, unitary, county, metropolitan district and London borough councils:
	Councillor Update, an electronic bulletin, was sent to all councillors on 2 March 2009, 2 June 2009, 4 November 2009 and 22 January 2010 and included news items about Comprehensive Area Assessment.
	On 28 September, the Audit Commission sent a flyer letting all councillors know that they could find out more information about Comprehensive Area Assessment and its role in holding local public services to account at the Conservative Party Conference in October 2009.
	The Audit Commission has sent five communications in relation to CAA to Members of Parliament sitting for English constituencies as follows:
	the first was sent out on 10 February and communicated final details of the Comprehensive Area Assessment framework;
	the second was our Parliamentary Bulletin, an electronic bulletin, sent to all MPs on 22 July;
	the third was on 28 September, and was a flyer to all English MPs regarding the Oneplace demonstration available at the autumn party conference;
	the fourth was our Parliamentary Bulletin, an electronic bulletin, sent to all English MPs on 24 November; and
	the fifth was the results of Comprehensive Area Assessment that was sent to all English MPs on 9 December.
	In summer 2009, the Audit Commission's CAA lead inspectors wrote to MPs in the areas they were assessing seeking their views on the performance of local public services. Feedback from MPs formed a helpful element of the evidence base for the CAA assessments.
	On 18 November 2009, Prospective Parliamentary Candidates from all parties seeking election for English constituencies were sent a communication that informed them of the date of the publication of the results for Comprehensive Area Assessment. The Comprehensive Area Assessment results were sent to them on 9 December.
	On 27 February 2009, peers of all parties were sent the final details of the Comprehensive Area Assessment framework. On 24 November our Parliamentary Bulletin was sent to all peers with an email address. On 9 December peers with email addresses were sent the Comprehensive Area Assessment results.
	We have not sent councillors, MPs, Prospective Parliamentary Candidates or peers any communications on Conservative Party policy towards Comprehensive Area Assessment.
	A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard.

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what payments the Audit Commission has made to the Government Car and Despatch Agency in the last 12 months; and for what purposes.

Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 9 February 2010:
	Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
	The Audit Commission has paid the Government Car and Despatch Agency £9,379.50 (including VAT) in the last 12 months. The Audit Commission use the Government Car and Despatch Agency for the Chairman and senior staff to travel around London on Commission business. This is a greener and more cost effective alternative to black cabs.
	A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard.

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what value and proportion of hotel bookings made by the Audit Commission were made through the Expotel Hotel Reservations facility in the last year for which figures are held.

Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 9 February 2010:
	Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
	In the financial year 2008-09 the Audit Commission paid the Expotel Hotel Reservations facility £1.9m, which represented 68% of the total value of expenditure on hotel bookings.
	A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard.

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the gross expenditure of the Audit Commission was in each year since 1996.

Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 9 February 2010:
	Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
	The Audit Commission's gross expenditure for each year since 1996 was as follows:
	
		
			   £000 
			 1995-96 92,592 
			 1996-97 93,381 
			 7 months to October 1997 60,676 
			 1997-98 105,703 
			 1998-99 111,620 
			 1999-2000 144,145 
			 2000-01 178,755 
			 2001-02 214,032 
			 17 months to March 2004 325,789 
			 2004-05 234,801 
			 2005-06 196,537 
			 2006-07 219,605 
			 2007-08 202,900 
			 2008-09 204,777 
		
	
	The Commission changed its financial year end in 1997 from March to October therefore there are two sets of accounts for that year. Our financial year end was changed again in 2004, so the period 2002-2004 is for 17 months, from November 2002 to March 2004.
	A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard.

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 16 December 2009,  Official Report, column 1261W, on the Audit Commission: procurement, how much the Audit Commission has spent at Shepherd's of Marsham Street, London in each of the last 36 months; and on what dates.

Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 9 February 2010:
	Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
	The Audit Commission has spent a total of £2,955.91 (inc VAT) at Shepherd's in the last 36 months:
	£352.25 on 18 July 2007
	£634.50 on 30 January 2008
	£490.06 on 27 February 2008
	£730.97 on 9 July 2008
	£78.13 on 19 November 2008 (this was a cancellation charge)
	A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard.

Audit Commission

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield of 26 January 2010,  Official Report, column 767W, on the Audit Commission: public relations, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter written to the Department's executive public bodies.

Rosie Winterton: The letters will be sent shortly and I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) associated non-departmental public bodies plan to sign up to the 10:10 campaign for cutting carbon usage in 2010; and if he will publish the (i) criteria and (ii) research upon which such a decision will be taken.

Barbara Follett: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, North (Kelvin Hopkins) on 26 January 2010,  Official Report, columns 768-69W.

Departmental Pay

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2009,  Official Report, column 1266W, on departmental pay, how many and what proportion of staff of his Department received both an annual performance bonus and an in-year bonus in 2008-09; what the largest combined bonus payment to an individual was; what proportion of staff received no bonus; and who was responsible for awarding such bonuses.

Barbara Follett: In-year performance bonuses for staff in the Department of Communities and Local Government are not identified separately through our payroll system. As a result, providing information about individual employees who received both in-year performance bonuses and annual performance bonuses could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, an element of the Department's pay bill is allocated to the non-consolidated variable pay awards which is used to encourage and reward high performance. These are paid to members of staff who have performed exceptionally well by, for example, exceeding targets or meeting challenging objectives. These non-consolidated variable pay awards are made in line with the Department's annual pay award which are funded from within existing pay bill controls, and have to be re-earned each year against pre-determined targets. As such, they do not add to future pay bill costs.
	The Department also operates a scheme for staff below the senior civil service under which individuals or teams may receive small non-consolidated awards in recognition of an outstanding contribution over a limited period. The maximum payment made under these arrangements is £600. Line managers are responsible for awarding these payments in line with CLG policy.

Departmental Travel

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will publish the travel guidelines issued to staff of each of his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

Barbara Follett: Staff in the Department's three Executive Agencies use the travel guidelines outlines in the CLG staff handbook, with some local variations. Work is currently being done to make the handbook a publishable document. Our non departmental public bodies (NDPBs) which employ staff each produce their own handbooks and these include the terms on which their staff should travel on official business.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the Audit Commission publication, Better information, better decisions, better services: frequency of household waste collection, what  (a) guidance and  (b) research the Audit Commission has produced on household waste collections.

Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 9 February 2010:
	Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
	The Audit Commission has produced a number of external and internal documents relevant to waste collection. These are listed in Appendix 1 to this letter. The Audit Commission's internal guidance for staff is also included.
	A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard.
	Appendix 1
	National Reports
	Securing Further Improvements in Refuse Collection, 1984
	Well disposed: responding to the waste challenge 2008 (This is primarily about waste disposal).
	Other publications
	Waste Matters: Good Practice in Waste Management, 1997
	Waste Management: the Strategic Challenge, 2001
	Published guidance
	Better information, better decisions, better services: frequency of household waste collection (Please note: this is not actually guidance on household waste collection, but guidance on the information members should consider when making decisions about waste collection).
	Value for money profile tool-VFM is central to the Audit Commission's mission and one of our fundamental responsibilities is to ensure that public money is spent economically, efficiently and effectively in local government, housing, health, criminal justice and fire and rescue services.
	The emphasis of VFM has changed through the years, from a focus on competition through Competitive Compulsory Tendering, to encompassing issues of quality and service improvement through best value, to achieving efficiencies and, most recently, to ensuring that issues of equity and sustainability are addressed. These are all different ways of looking at the same topic. More information is available at:
	http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/aboutus/strategicobjectives/challengingpublicbodies/pages/default.aspx
	Environmental key lines of enquiry-Key lines of enquiry (KLOEs) are detailed questions that help to inform our auditors' judgements when assessing the financial performance of NHS trusts. More information is available at:
	http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/health/audit/auditorslocalevaluation/ale0910/Pages/alekloeguidance200910.aspx
	Waste Management: Guidance for Improving Services: Learning from Inspection, 2001
	Current Audit Commission internal guidance for staff
	Waste management quick guide August 2007
	Draft letter to local authorities on controlled waste regulations guidance

Empty Property

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many properties in each local authority area have been empty for over a year; and how many empty dwelling management orders have been  (a) issued and  (b) concluded in respect of such properties.

Ian Austin: Estimates of the total number of homes empty for more than six months in each local authority will be made available in the House Libraries.
	Empty dwelling management orders should only be considered as a last resort, where all other measures of investigation and negotiation have been exhausted and the local authority has been unable to persuade the owner to bring the property back into use. To date, 27 interim empty dwelling management orders have been approved by the Residential Property Tribunal Service since the legislation came into effect in April 2006. Local authorities do not need any further approval to make final empty dwelling management orders. However, local authorities claim that in many cases the threat of an EDMO has been sufficient to make owners take action to bring long-term empty homes back into use.

Empty Property: South East

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many empty properties there were in each local authority area in the South East of England in each year since 2004.

Barbara Follett: A table giving details of the total number of empty residential properties in each authority in all billing authorities in England, in each year since 2004, has been placed in the Library of the House.
	Data on the number of empty residential properties are as reported on the Council Tax Base (CTB) and CTB (Supplementary) forms completed by all the billing authorities in England as at a specified date in October each year (November 1 for 2004).
	The data include both long-term and short term empty properties. Data across years and across authorities are not strictly comparable as the rules governing the definition of a short term empty property can vary between authority and year.
	The Department is planning to publish Experimental Official Statistics in February on the number of hereditaments benefiting from Small Business Rate Relief and the number of empty hereditaments. This statistical release will provide a national estimate for the number of empty non-domestic properties in England.

Fire Service College: Empty Property

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) book value and  (b) estimated annual rental value is of vacant residential properties owned by the Fire Service college.

Shahid Malik: The book value of Fire Service college residential properties currently vacant is £1,362,256 based on open market valuations as of March 2009. The estimated total annual rental value for those properties is £67,872.

Fire Service Independent Review

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which recommendations of the Bain Report on the future of the fire service  (a) have and  (b) have not been implemented.

Shahid Malik: All the recommendations of the Bain Review of the fire and rescue service which were the responsibility of the Government have been implemented, either fully or substantively. The details are set out in a table which has been deposited in the Library of the House.

Fire Services

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many fire stations were in operation in each local authority area in  (a) 1997 and  (b) the latest period for which figures are available.

Shahid Malik: The number of fire stations that were in operation in each local authority in  (a) 1997 and  (b) the latest period for which figures are available (2009) are illustrated in the following table.
	Please note that figures for 1997 were reported for the calendar year, while the latest available figures refer to the 2008-09 financial year.
	
		
			  Number of fire stations in England in operation in 1997 and 2009 
			  Brigade name  1997( 1)  2009( 2) 
			 Total 1,457 1,444 
			
			 Avon 23 23 
			 Bedfordshire 14 14 
			 Buckinghamshire 20 20 
			 Cambridgeshire 28 28 
			 Cheshire 24 24 
			 Cleveland 15 15 
			 Cornwall 31 31 
			 County Durham and Darlington 16 15 
			 Cumbria 38 38 
			 Derbyshire 31 31 
			 Devon 58 - 
			 Devon and Somerset(3) - 83 
			 Dorset 29 26 
			 East Sussex 24 24 
			 Essex 51 51 
			 Gloucestershire 20 20 
			 Greater Manchester 43 41 
			 Hampshire 54 52 
			 Hereford and Worcester 26 27 
			 Hertfordshire 32 30 
			 Humberside 31 31 
			 Isle of Wight 10 10 
			 Isles of Scilly 6 6 
			 Kent 66 66 
			 Lancashire 40 39 
			 Leicestershire 20 20 
			 Lincolnshire 37 38 
			 London 113 112 
			 Merseyside 27 26 
			 Norfolk 40 41 
			 North Yorkshire 37 39 
			 Northamptonshire 22 22 
			 Northumberland 19 18 
			 Nottinghamshire 25 24 
			 Oxfordshire 24 24 
			 Royal Berkshire 20 19 
			 Shropshire 23 23 
			 Somerset 24 - 
			 South Yorkshire 24 25 
			 Staffordshire 30 30 
			 Suffolk 36 35 
			 Surrey 24 24 
			 Tyne and Wear 18 17 
			 Warwickshire 20 19 
			 West Midlands 41 39 
			 West Sussex 28 31 
			 West Yorkshire 50 48 
			 Wiltshire 25 25 
			 (1) Calendar year. (2) Financial year, figure at 31 March 2009. (3) With effect from 1 April 2007, Devon Fire and rescue service and Somerset fire and rescue service merged to become Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service.  Note: Figures include volunteer stations, private brigades and local fire units.  Source: Annual Returns

Fire Services: Finance

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his most recent estimate is of the transition cost of the FiReControl project.

Shahid Malik: The Department is meeting the full cost of the transition to FiReControl. The estimated full cost is £420 million.

Fire Services: Finance

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of the financial consequences for individual fire and rescue services in transferring control capabilities to regional fire control centres.

Shahid Malik: No Fire and Rescue Authority will bear any additional cost as a result of FiReControl implementation. Once the new network is established, 21 Fire and Rescue Authorities are expected to make savings, which can be reinvested in local priorities and frontline services. National government will support those Fire and Rescue Authorities which do not make a saving directly through FiReControl payments totalling £8.2 million annually once the network is up and running.

Fire Services: Finance

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total cost is of the FiReControl project  (a) nationally and  (b) in the West Midlands.

Shahid Malik: The estimated total cost of the FiReControl project is  (a) £420 million and  (b) I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 10 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 585-86W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell).

Fire Services: West Midlands

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects the FiReControl project in the West Midlands to be operational.

Shahid Malik: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Peterborough the (Mr. Jackson) on 14 December 2009,  Official Report, columns 899W.

Hamas: Internet

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effects of Hamas's al-Fatah website for children on levels of community cohesion in the UK.

Shahid Malik: The Department of Communities and Local Government has made no assessment of the effects of Hamas's al Fatah website for children on levels of community cohesion in the UK.
	On a wider note, last year Government launched the cross-government Hate Crime Action Plan (HCAP) which includes our Internet Hate Crime Action Plan. This will make it easier to report incitement to hatred that happens over the internet and improve our responses by updating systems and policies. That said, any criminal content, including incitement to hatred under the Public Order Act, should be reported to the local police who would be able to gather evidence of any offences and where appropriate, provide this to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration of any proceedings.

Home Information Packs

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his most recent estimate is of the average price of a home information pack; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The cost of a home information pack (HIP) is set by the market and the Government have no role in this. However, industry reports indicate that the average cost of a HIP is currently between £200 and £300 (excluding VAT).

Home Information Packs

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of home information packs produced in  (a) November 2009,  (b) December 2009 and  (c) January 2010.

Ian Austin: The Department does not have a record of the number of HIPs produced.

Homes and Communities Agency

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the main responsibilities are of the  (a) Decent Homes and Mixed Communities,  (b) Growth,  (c) Gypsy and Traveller Site Grant,  (d) Housing Market Renewal,  (e) Thames Gateway Delivery,  (f) Place of Change and  (g) Vulnerable People division of the Homes and Communities Agency; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The items listed in the question equate to HCA programmes. Divisions do not directly match these titles.
	For items  (a) to  (f), Annex 1 of HCA's Corporate plan describes the individual programmes being run by the HCA, together with an indication of the resources allocated to them and what the delivery priorities are. The Corporate plan is available at:
	http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/public/documents/HCA_Corporate%20Plan_English.pdf
	In respect of Vulnerable People, the Place of Change and Gypsy and Traveller Site Grant programmes, these are specifically targeted at vulnerable people. The HCA also seeks to support vulnerable and older people through its more general programmes such as the National Affordable Housing programme, which covers both general needs and specialised and supported housing, and the Property and Regeneration programme.

Homes and Communities Agency

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the salary was of each of the Homes and Communities Agency's regional directors in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10.

John Healey: The salaries for each regional director for 2008-09 can be found in the agency's 2008-09 annual report. The salaries for 2009-10 will be detailed in the 2009-10 annual report.

Housing

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Government has provided for the First Time Buyers' Initiative to date; and how much will be provided in each of the next three years.

John Healey: Total spend on the First Time Buyers Initiative to the end of January 2010 was £224 million. Information on future spend will be available in due course.

Housing: Construction

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many housing starts for housing of each type of tenure there were in  (a) the City of Manchester and  (b) Manchester Central constituency in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ian Austin: There were 409 housing starts in the City of Manchester in the 12 months up to September 2009. Data is not available for tenure types or for parliamentary constituencies.

Housing: Energy

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what percentage of properties entered onto the domestic Energy Performance Certificate database to date have had an energy rating of more than 450.

John Healey: Domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) provide a rating for the energy performance of a building in the form of a rating from A to G using a scale of 1-100. It is not possible for a dwelling to have a rating of more than 100 and therefore, none of the properties that have had an EPC lodged on the Domestic EPC Register have been given an EPC rating of more than 450.

Housing: Fires

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 2 December 2009,  Official Report, column 782W, on fires: elderly, what plans his Department has  (a) to increase the use of suppression systems to enhance fire safety in domestic dwellings,  (b) to measure the effectiveness of smoke alarms for people with limited mobility and  (c) to assess the merits of fire suppression systems in increasing fire safety in domestic dwellings for people with limited mobility.

Shahid Malik: The Government are committed to reducing fire deaths. The installation of properly maintained smoke alarms in every household has been the centrepiece of our efforts to reduce fire deaths as they provide the vital early warning of fire and help people to escape. Smoke alarms can help save lives regardless of age or mobility.
	Our view is that sprinklers can be an effective risk mitigation measure, particularly where their provision is targeted at buildings where the occupants are most at risk from fire. However, they are not a panacea and it is important they are considered as part of a package of measures, both active (e.g. smoke alarms) and passive (fire resistant construction materials and compartmentation) and effective building management.
	The latest edition of Approved Document B, which gives guidance on compliance with the fire safety aspects of Building Regulations, came into effect in April 2007. The extensive review that preceded the development of this new guidance considered a four year research project looking at the issue of residential and domestic sprinklers from both an effectiveness and cost benefit perspective. The review, which included public consultation, concluded that it would not be cost effective to provide sprinklers in all new homes. We do not intend revisiting Part B of the Building Regulations again until 2013 at the earliest.
	A major barrier to the wider use of sprinklers in the domestic market is that they are expensive. The Government are therefore trialling a lower-cost sprinkler system in new build and existing housing in four fire and rescue authority areas to resolve any technical issues and test cost assumptions. If these pilots are successful, we will have demonstrated that a lower-cost system could have a crucial role to play in helping to protect the most vulnerable from fire, including for people with limited mobility.

Housing: Owner Occupation

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many owner-occupiers owned their home  (a) outright and  (b) with a mortgage in each of the last 30 years.

Ian Austin: Estimates of the number of owner occupiers that owned their home outright and that were buying with a mortgage are provided in table S1O1 Trends in Tenure on the CLG website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/139262.xls
	The table contains estimates for 1981, 1984, and 1988 and for each year from 1991 to 2008; estimates for other years are not available. The 1981 to 1991 estimates are based on data from the DOE Labour Force Survey Housing trailer, and estimates from 1992 to 2008 on data from the ONS Labour Force Survey.

Housing: Standards

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many arm's length management organisations received funding from the Decent Homes scheme in each of the last three years; and how many such organisations he expects to receive such funding in  (a) 2009-10 and  (b) 2010-11.

Ian Austin: The following table sets out the number of local authorities that have received funding for their ALMOs in the four financial years 2006-07 to 2009-10 and the number of local authorities that will receive funding in 2010-11:
	
		
			  Number of LAs 
			 2006-07 21 
			 2007-08 31 
			 2008-09 30 
			 2009-10 35 
			 2010-11 31

Local Government: Birmingham

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions he has had with representatives of Birmingham city council on the effects of trends in Government funding on (a) the provision of services by and  (b) employment within the Council; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with representatives of Birmingham city council on the effects of trends in Government funding. We have recently confirmed our commitment to the first ever three year settlement for local government. This has provided the city council with the increased predictability and stability of funding necessary to continue to improve local services. We have provided councils overall with significant additional Government investment since taking office, with a 39 per cent. real terms increase in funding in the first 10 years and an additional £8.6 billion over the period covered by the current spending review.
	The following table sets out the Formula Grant(1) increases that Birmingham city council have received under this Government:
	(1) Formula Grant comprises Revenue Support Grant, redistributed business rates, principal formula Police Grant, SSA Reduction Grant (SSA Review), SSA Reduction Grant (Police Funding Review) and Central Support Protection Grant where appropriate.
	
		
			   Prior  year's adjusted formula grant  (£ million)  Formula Grant  (£ million)  C hange  (£ million)  Change( 1)  (percentage) 
			 1998-99 780.831 814.687 33.856 4.3 
			 1999-2000 814.687 844.135 29.448 3.6 
			 2000-01 844.135 873.517 29.382 3.5 
			 2001-02 866.305 896.229 29.924 3.5 
			 2002-03 862.394 908.137 45.742 5.3 
			 Amended 2003-04 933.755 1,009.103 75.348 8.1 
			 Amended 2004-05 1,011.998 1,085.999 74.001 7.3 
			 Amended 2005-06 1,092.178 1,165.662 73.484 6.7 
			 2006-07(2) 547.813 563.775 15.962 2.9 
			 2007-08 561.125 587.363 26.238 4.7 
			 2008-09 611.268 639.580 28.312 4.6 
			 2009-10 639.220 660.074 20.854 3.26 
			 2010-11 659.937 678.017 18.080 2.7 
			 (1) The prior year's formula grant is adjusted for changes in function and funding to enable a like-for-like comparison. (2) Prior to 2006-07 support for schools was paid through formula grant. In 2006-07 funding for schools transferred to the Dedicated Schools Grant. 
		
	
	A written statement on the level of funding for local authorities for 2010-11 was made to the House on 26 November 2009. This was then followed by a consultation period which ended on 6 January 2010, during which local authorities were invited to submit their representations about the Government's proposals. During this consultation period, no representation on the provision of funding for services was received from Birmingham city council.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has however, previously written to the chair of Birmingham's Local Strategic Partnership regarding his concerns over the pace of the delivery of Birmingham's Working Neighbourhood Fund (WNF) programmes. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 4 February 2010,  Official Report, column 531W.

Local Government: ICT

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what account his Department took of the effects on district councils of the current economic situation in determining the IT-related requirements to be placed on those councils in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost to district councils of central Government requirements in relation to IT in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10.

Rosie Winterton: The Government do not place requirements on local government which specifically relate to IT. In the event that a government programme places a new burden on local government, including through additional use of IT, we would provide funding for the overall initiative through the formula grant system or through specific grants as appropriate.

Local Government: Reorganisation

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will list for each unitary authority created since 2007  (a) the projected cost savings prior to the creation of the new authority,  (b) the target for cost savings set when the new authority was established and  (c) the cost savings achieved to date.

Rosie Winterton: When we debated the structural change orders in Parliament creating the nine new unitary authorities that came into effect on 1 April 2009, the savings we were anticipating totalled over £100 million per annum once the transition costs of the reorganisation have been met. Estimates of the savings included in the councils' budgets for 2009-10 either directly attributable to the transition to unitary government or facilitated by it total some £159 million. These are summarised in the following table.
	
		
			  £ million 
			  Unitary council  Initially identified minimum  estimated annual savings when councils are fully established  2009-10 budget savings 
			 Bedford borough 8 9.9 
			 Central Bedfordshire 11 8.5 
			 Cheshire West and Chester 8 29.0 
			 Cheshire East 9 25.1 
			 Cornwall 15 17.1 
			 Durham 11 26.3 
			 Northumberland 17 23.8 
			 Shropshire 10 10.8 
			 Wiltshire 18 8.6 
			 Total 107 159.1

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much had been spent by his Department on the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme on the latest date for which figures are available.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 November 2009,  Official Report, column 871W. Total spend on Homeowners Mortgage Support in 2009-10 will be reported after the end of the financial year.

Non-domestic Rates: Garages and Petrol Stations

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many appeals relating to the 2005 national non-domestic rates valuation remain outstanding in relation to  (a) petrol filling stations and  (b) car washes.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 28 January 2010
	The number of rating appeals outstanding against the 2005 Rating Lists in England, for the following class of property is:
	Petrol filling stations (excluding those with supermarkets) (SCAT 209): 785
	Stand alone car washes (SCAT 045): 90.
	The data are obtained from the Valuation Office Agency operational database.

Public Holidays

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the introduction of an additional public holiday; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: This Department has made no estimate of the cost of the introduction of an additional public holiday. However, we are aware of plans for the introduction of one in mid 2012. This would, consequently, fall in the 2012-13 financial year. This Department takes, and will continue to take, full account of public holidays in its delivery planning so to ensure that any disruption to front line services is minimised.

Regeneration: Rural Areas

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the National Audit Office's report, Regenerating the English Coalfields, HC 84, what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Homes and Communities Agency and regional development agencies  (a) claim and  (b) reclaim the benefits from the English Coalfields programme against their own objectives.

Ian Austin: The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA, and previously English Partnerships (EP) the former national regeneration agency), as primary funding body, is entitled to claim and report all of the outputs from the National Coalfields Programme, although it must make the shared nature of these outputs clear. Regional development agencies (RDAs) are also allowed to report these shared outputs provided this is made clear when they are reported, and that there is no double-counting in relation to wider targets.

Regional Ministers: Expenditure

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the estimated cost to the public purse was of the work of regional Ministers in the last year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The estimated cost to the public purse for the work of regional Ministers in 2008-09 was £1,461,720. This total was met from within existing Government office and Department budgets. Estimates are based on staff and communication support costs.

Sheltered Housing

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on the future of sheltered housing; and whether he has had recent discussions with the Local Government Association on that matter.

Ian Austin: It is for local authorities to determine how best to meet the housing-related support needs identified in their communities, including the need for sheltered housing. Central Government do not prescribe any particular model of services. However, we expect every service user to have a full risk and needs assessment undertaken and an appropriate support plan put in place. In contracting for Supporting People services, we would expect authorities to specify expected service standards and to monitor these.
	The Local Government Association is a member of the ministerial working group on sheltered housing which last met on 12 January 2010. The working group will be re-convened shortly to discuss the recommendations on sheltered housing contained in the recent Select Committee report on Supporting People. The Local Government Association also sits on the Supporting People Transition Board whose aims include disseminating the benefits of housing related support to partners and strategic decision makers following the removal of the ring-fence from the Supporting People grant.

Social Rented Housing

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which 10  (a) local authorities and  (b) registered social landlords have sold the largest number of dwellings in the last five years; how many dwellings each type of vendor sold in that period; and what the monetary value was of such dwellings, excluding those sold to sitting tenants.

Ian Austin: Local authorities can sell their dwellings to sitting tenants through schemes such as right to buy, right to acquire and social homebuy, or they can transfer their stock to registered social landlords as a large scale voluntary transfer (LSVT). The total number of sales and LSVTs by local authorities selling the largest cumulative total between 2004-05 and 2008-09 is shown in the following table. There were LSVTs for only three of the 10 local authorities during the period (Manchester, Salford and Sheffield) of which only Manchester received any capital receipts and which are also shown in the table.
	
		
			  LA code  LA name  All LA sales  Capital receipts from  LSVTs  (£ million) 
			 00DA Leeds 4,044 - 
			 00BN Manchester 3,950 0.15 
			 00CN Birmingham 3,727 - 
			 00BE Southwark 2,921 - 
			 00CG Sheffield 2,884 - 
			 00FA Kingston upon Hull 2,343 - 
			 00CE Doncaster 2,313 - 
			 00BR Salford 2,057 - 
			 00FY Nottingham 1,948 - 
			 00CJ Newcastle upon Tyne 1,919 - 
			  Source: P1B returns to CLG, HCA 
		
	
	Registered social landlords (RSLs) can sell or dispose of dwellings through schemes such as right to buy, preserved right to buy, right to acquire, social homebuy, low cost home ownership, by transfer to other RSLs or a sale to the private sector. The following table shows the cumulative total number of sales between 2004-05 and 2008-09 to the 10 RSLs with the largest number of sales.
	
		
			  RSL code  RSL name  Sales 
			 L4123 Orbit Group Limited 6,841 
			 L4517 London and Quadrant Housing Trust 6,646 
			 L3076 Home Group Limited 3,374 
			 L0726 Metropolitan Housing Trust Limited 3,045 
			 L0020 Bromford Carinthia Housing Association Limited 3,008 
			 L0699 Catalyst Communities Housing Association Limited 2,927 
			 L0247 Sanctuary Housing Association 2,773 
			 L0514 Thames Valley Housing Association Limited 2,587 
			 LH1298 Cosmopolitan Housing Association Limited 2,550 
			 LH0455 A2Dominion London Limited 2,173 
			  Source: Regulatory statistical returns made to the Tenants Services Authority, 2004-05 to 2008-09. Data have been compiled to reflect current organisational structures, reflecting the mergers and transfers of engagement that have happened over the past years. 
		
	
	Data on the monetary value of RSL properties sold, excluding those to sitting tenants, are not held centrally.

Social Rented Housing: Employment

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what percentage of  (a) people of working age and  (b) other households in social housing were in employment, education or training in each year since 1997.

Ian Austin: Estimates of the percentage of people of working age in England, in all tenures and in social housing, who were in employment, education or training in each year since 1997 are provided in the following table. These estimates are based on data from the ONS Labour Force Survey.
	
		
			  Percentage of working age people( 1,2 ) in employment, education or training, England, 1997 to 2008 
			   All tenures  Social rented sector (percentage) 
			 1997 77.6 50.3 
			 1998 78.2 51.4 
			 1999 78.9 51.7 
			 2000 79.6 53.8 
			 2001 79.8 53.6 
			 2002 79.7 53.4 
			 2003 80.0 52.1 
			 2004 80.1 52.3 
			 2005 80.4 52.8 
			 2006 80.1 52.5 
			 2007 80.1 52.4 
			 2008 80.4 54.4 
			 (1) Excludes cases with unknown economic status (2) Excludes those resident in Halls of Residence or Nurses Homes  Source:  ONS Labour Force Survey

Social Rented Housing: Standards

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what percentage of social sector homes were considered not to meet the decent homes standard in 2009.

Ian Austin: The HCA have calculated using the latest landlord statistics that at 1 April 2009 579,000 (14.5 per cent.) of social homes were classed as non-decent.

CABINET OFFICE

Charities: Accountancy

Nick Hurd: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what discussions the  (a) Office of the Third Sector and  (b) Charity Commission have had with the Department of Health on the effects of the implementation of International Accounting Standard 27 (IAS 27) on independent NHS charities.

Angela Smith: Officials from the Office of the Third Sector have had several discussions with colleagues from the Department of Health in recent months about the effect of the implementation of International Accounting Standard 27 (IAS 27) on independent NHS charities.
	The Charity Commission has said that it has been in regular contact on this subject with the Department of Health, including a series of meetings dating back to February 2009.
	HM Treasury has announced that implementation of IAS 27 for NHS charities will be delayed for a further year, and a working party will be established including the Office of the Third Sector, the Charity Commission, the Department of Health, and HM Treasury, which will seek a long-term solution to this issue.

Civil Servants: Home Working

Nigel Evans: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether she plans to implement a work from home scheme in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the civil service.

Angela Smith: The Cabinet Office encourages Departments to consider home working as part of a range of flexible working options. Each employing department or agency will need to decide for itself how best to implement a work from home scheme in line with its specific departmental needs.

Civil Service: Pensions

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the monetary value of the pension pot assigned to  (a) Sir Christopher Kelly and  (b) Sir Thomas Legg on retirement from the Civil Service was.

Tessa Jowell: Declaration of senior officials' salary and pension information in departmental resource accounts was first introduced for the financial year 1999 to 2000 and as Sir Thomas Legg retired on 10 April 1998 neither his pension or cash equivalent transfer values are available.
	Cash equivalent transfer values were introduced for the financial year 2003-04 reports. As Sir Christopher Kelly retired on 30 April 2001 no information on his cash equivalent transfer value is available, however, information on his salary and pension are available in the 2000-01 Department of Health Resource Accounts, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the Cabinet Office intends to appeal against the decision of the Information Commissioner in respect of the undertaking given by Lord Ashcroft on UK residency.

Tessa Jowell: The Information Commissioner issued his decision on 28 January 2010. The Cabinet Office is considering the terms of the decision and will respond in due course within the timelines set out in the legislation.

Departmental Internet

David Davies: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what redesigns of websites operated by  (a) her Department and  (b) its agency have been carried out since 27 June 2007; and what the (i) cost to the public purse and (ii) date of completion of each such redesign was.

Tessa Jowell: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Site  URL  Completion date  Redesign cost  (ex VAT) (£) 
			 Civil Service http://www.civilservice.gov.uk October 2007 15,000.00 
			 Number 10-Prime Minister's http://number10.gov.uk August 2008 (1)- 
			 Civil Service http://www.civilservice.gov.uk 26 February 2009 (2)- 
			 UK Honours http://www.direct.gov.uk/honours (formerly www.honours.gov.uk ) 31 March 2009 (3)- 
			 Preparing for Emergencies (PFE) http://www.direct.gov.uk/preparingforemergencies (formerly www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk ) 31 March 2009 (3)- 
			 Government Communication Network http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/comms (formerly www.comms.gov.uk ) 29 June 2009 (4)7,940.63 
			 HM Government http://www.hmg.gov.uk 15 September 2009 4,850.00 
			 Queens Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) http://www.direct.gov.uk/thequeensawardforvoluntaryservice (formerly www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk ) 31 September 2009 (5)5,278.80 
			 Civil Service http://www.civilservice.gov.uk 16 November 2009 7,932.50 
			 (1) The cost of the Prime Minister's website redesign was met from the running costs of the Digital Communications Unit. It is not possible to separate out the specific costs associated with the redesign. (2) The February 2008 Civil Service redesign was undertaken as part of a larger project, and as such it has not been possible to extract the costs specifically related to the redesign. (3) The content on the UK Honours and PFE websites was migrated to Directgov under the website rationalisation agenda, which involved a redesign. The cost to Cabinet Office in moving this content was in staff time only. To provide internal staff costs would incur disproportionate costs. (4) The Government Communication Network website was required to merge with the Civil Service website under the Government's website rationalisation agenda, which involved a redesign. (5) The content on the QAVS website was migrated to Directgov under the website rationalisation agenda. The cost of moving this content was drawn from the existing management contract. No additional costs were incurred.

Derek Draper

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham of 6 May 2009,  Official Report, column 182W, on Derek Draper, whether Mr. Draper has ever been issued with a security pass to No. 10 Downing street.

Tessa Jowell: Mr. Draper has never been issued a security pass to No. 10 Downing street.

Derek Draper and Charlie Whelan

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the answer of 5 October 2009,  Official Report, column 2315W, on Derek Draper and Charlie Whelan, how many times  (a) Mr. Derek Draper and  (b) Mr. Charlie Whelan visited the Downing Street/Cabinet Office complex between October 2007 and April 2009.

Tessa Jowell: Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals.

Electorate: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many electors there were in each ward in the London borough of Bexley in each year since 1997.

Michael Wills: I have been asked to reply.
	The Ministry of Justice does not hold this information. The data in the following tables have been provided by the Boundary Commission for England from data compiled by the London borough of Bexley and supplied, originally, to the Office for National Statistics. They show the number of people who were registered to vote in parliamentary elections for each ward in the London borough of Bexley between 1997 and 2008.
	
		
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001 
			 Bexley London borough(1) 167,080 167,381 167,399 167,946 168,152 
			   
			 Barnehurst 4,824 4,834 4,793 4,772 4,781 
			 Barnehurst North 3,157 3,169 3,168 3,134 3,146 
			 Belvedere 9,453 9,354 9,342 9,338 9,326 
			 Blackfen 5,179 5,194 5,225 5,213 5,242 
			 Blendon and Penhill 7,353 7,348 7,331 7,366 7,346 
			 Bostall 7,442 7,423 7,412 7,406 7,403 
			 Brampton 7,884 7,907 7,863 7,871 7,860 
			 Christchurch 7,941 7,906 7,889 7,867 7,861 
			 Cray 4,097 4,083 3,988 3,981 4,012 
			 Crayford 8,656 8,565 8,516 8,497 8,573 
			 Danson 7,313 7,312 7,325 7,361 7,354 
			 East Wickham 8,250 8,231 8,235 8,197 8,171 
			 Erith 8,186 8,277 8,271 8,248 8,287 
			 Falconwood 2,951 2,955 2,934 2,971 2,972 
			 Lamorbey 8,126 8,193 8,128 8,238 8,198 
			 North End 8,579 8,706 8,823 9,024 8,970 
			 Northumberland Heath 7,714 8,053 8,128 8,191 8,225 
			 St. Mary's 8,766 8,726 8,671 8,630 8,637 
			 St. Michael's 7,657 7,732 7,686 7,734 7,714 
			 Sidcup East 8,693 8,565 8,622 8,671 8,669 
			 Sidcup West 7,953 7,878 7,817 7,752 7,742 
			 Thamesmead East 9,123 9,191 9,482 9,707 9,967 
			 Upton 7,783 7,779 7,750 7,777 7,696 
			 (1) As created by The London Borough of Bexley (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1977 
		
	
	
		
			   Ward electorates 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Bexley London borough(1) 168,544 169,330 169,874 170,549 169,760 170,775 171,646 169,504 
			  
			 Barnehurst 8,176 8,163 8,119 8,115 8,049 8,109 8,060 8,019 
			 Belvedere 7,997 8,113 8,088 8,093 7,915 7,988 8,129 8,095 
			 Blackfen and Lamorbey 8,047 8,063 8,027 8,030 8,013 8,096 8,129 8,009 
			 Blendon and Penhill 8,267 8,273 8,238 8,238 8,291 8,341 8,309 8,270 
			 Brampton 8,258 8,213 8,269 8,320 8,314 8,306 8,418 8,350 
			 Christchurch 8,239 8,210 8,254 8,277 8,332 8,315 8,394 8,308 
			 Colyers 8,066 8,048 8,105 8,154 8,221 8,175 8,163 8,002 
			 Crayford 7,684 7,919 8,108 8,215 8,117 8,218 8,286 8,209 
			 Cray Meadows 8,155 8,146 8,124 8,145 8,064 8,065 8,148 8,079 
			 Danson Park 8,041 8,024 8,024 8,034 8,013 8,024 8,066 8,036 
			 East Wickham 8,142 8,135 8,135 8,133 8,088 8,123 8,129 8,072 
			 Erith 7,361 7,560 7,783 7,855 7,900 8,005 8,100 8,014 
			 Falconwood and Welling 8,153 8,087 8,096 8,115 8,101 8,170 8,110 8,070 
			 Lesnes Abbey 8,386 8,451 8,434 8,510 8,550 8,523 8,467 8,368 
			 Longlands 7,885 7,882 7,758 7,815 7,641 7,797 7,984 8,039 
			 North End 7,471 7,551 7,636 7,650 7,473 7,595 7,736 7,504 
			 Northumberland Heath 7,904 7,886 7,905 7,914 7,940 7,934 7,977 7,796 
			 St. Mary's 8,147 8,172 8,152 8,142 8,125 8,114 8,101 8,082 
			 St. Michael's 8,040 8,023 8,025 8,039 7,996 8,088 8,120 7,972 
			 Sidcup 8,365 8,339 8,257 8,260 8,316 8,366 8,409 8,283 
			 Thamesmead East 7,760 8,072 8,337 8,495 8,301 8,423 8,411 7,927 
			 (1) As created by The London Borough of Bexley (Electoral Changes) Order 2000

Electorate: Stroud

David Drew: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many electors were registered in each ward of Stroud constituency in each year since 1988.

Michael Wills: I have been asked to reply.
	The Ministry of Justice does not hold this information. The data in the following tables have been provided by the Boundary Commission for England from data compiled by the District of Stroud and supplied, originally, to the Office for National Statistics. It shows the number of electors who were registered to vote in parliamentary elections for each ward in the District of Stroud between 1988 and 2008.
	
		
			  Ward Electorates 
			   1988  1989  1990  1991  1992  1993  1994  1995 
			 Stroud District(1) 85,371 86,208 86,215 81,014 81,296 82,138 82,462 83,193 
			 Berkeley 1,774 1,783 1,776 1,801 1,869 1,946 1,963 1,977 
			 Bisley 1,794 1,843 1,694 1,685 1,696 1,696 1,701 1,737 
			 Cainscross 4,503 4,565 4,406 4,454 4,439 4,440 4,423 4,421 
			 Cam 3,677 3,703 3,696 3,678 3,760 3,829 3,868 3,884 
			 Cambridge 1,396 1,385 1,351 1,383 1,373 1,440 1,455 1,453 
			 Central 3,885 3,953 1,035 1,028 1,091 1,093 1,113 1,168 
			 Chalford 3,229 3,469 3,607 3,580 3,712 3,785 3,873 4,041 
			 Dursley 4,420 4,449 4,473 4,397 4,412 4,441 4,473 4,498 
			 Eastington 1,320 1,264 1,298 1,287 1,299 1,381 1,358 1,417 
			 Hardwicke 7,333 7,775 7,893 2,734 2,762 2,777 2,772 2,722 
			 Hinton 962 916 898 896 882 870 884 880 
			 King's Stanley 2,805 2,836 2,878 2,858 2,857 2,878 2,912 2,943 
			 Leonard Stanley 1,225 1,215 1,213 1,212 1,210 1,200 1,209 1,186 
			 Minchinhampton 4,106 4,050 4,179 4,133 4,140 4,136 4,194 4,262 
			 Nailsworth 4,849 4,932 4,676 4,686 4,721 4,780 4,813 4,821 
			 Nibley 977 980 1,008 1,015 1,009 1,011 1,018 1,009 
			 Painswick 3,581 3,535 3,487 3,435 3,416 3,440 3,382 3,425 
			 Parklands 1,525 1,487 1,503 1,487 1,479 1,469 1,458 1,489 
			 Randwick 1,128 1,102 1,316 1,232 1,221 1,172 1,180 1,171 
			 Rodborough 1,457 1,463 4,281 4,294 4,324 4,331 4,311 4,318 
			 Severn 1,883 1,895 1,905 1,898 1,882 1,910 1,903 1,928 
			 Stonehouse 5,224 5,188 5,196 5,137 5,232 5,226 5,211 5,224 
			 Thrupp 1,214 1,215 1,409 1,392 1,397 1,398 1,395 1,386 
			 Trinity 3,938 3,936 3,826 3,843 3,883 3,858 3,860 3,918 
			 Uley 1,209 1,213 1,197 1,168 1,179 1,207 1,232 1,254 
			 Uplands 4,060 4,125 4,142 4,160 4,187 4,222 4,255 4,317 
			 Upton St. Leonards 1,471 1,432 1,440 1,357 1,368 1,360 1,371 1,376 
			 Vale 1,391 1,418 1,459 1,430 1,440 1,441 1,436 1,463 
			 Whiteshill 986 993 992 973 971 944 943 953 
			 Woodfield 2,628 2,623 2,585 2,616 2,668 2,667 2,642 2,664 
			 Wotton and Kingswood 5,421 5,465 5,396 5,765 5,417 5,790 5,854 5,888 
		
	
	
		
			   1996  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001 
			 Stroud District(1) 83,636 84,263 84,664 85,173 85,312 85,047 
			 Berkeley 2,006 2,022 2,088 2,086 2,091 2,081 
			 Bisley 1,726 1,745 1,755 1,709 1,796 1,751 
			 Cainscross 4,436 4,440 4,450 4,466 4,457 4,427 
			 Cam 3,880 3,944 3,941 3,983 3,982 3,957 
			 Cambridge 1,465 1,485 1,507 1,528 1,526 1,528 
			 Central 1,235 1,291 1,303 1,332 1,304 1,295 
			 Chalford 4,168 4,332 4,360 4,475 4,598 4,722 
			 Dursley 4,510 4,492 4,470 4,547 4,501 4,500 
			 Eastington 1,415 1,444 1,491 1,471 1,447 1,406 
			 Hardwicke 2,734 2,752 2,734 2,743 2,893 2,985 
			 Hinton 883 876 882 885 903 889 
			 King's Stanley 2,924 2,930 2,926 2,980 2,990 3,017 
			 Leonard Stanley 1,211 1,228 1,228 1,221 1,240 1,217 
			 Minchinhampton 4,291 4,243 4,275 4,299 4,259 4,186 
			 Nailsworth 4,966 4,964 5,000 4,988 4,923 4,860 
			 Nibley 1,015 991 1,004 1,000 1,003 959 
			 Painswick 3,440 3,491 3,497 3,462 3,473 3,420 
			 Parklands 1,532 1,587 1,625 1,704 1,703 1,702 
			 Randwick 1,168 1,168 1,170 1,166 1,171 1,186 
			 Rodborough 4,283 4,310 4,320 4,322 4,236 4,117 
			 Severn 1,932 1,951 1,959 1,953 1,932 1,927 
			 Stonehouse 5,224 5,251 5,263 5,300 5,405 5,481 
			 Thrupp 1,387 1,390 1,410 1,403 1,383 1,433 
			 Trinity 3,878 3,915 3,923 3,961 3,945 3,949 
			 Uley 1,242 1,243 1,219 1,241 1,242 1,219 
			 Uplands 4,332 4,402 4,493 4,525 4,551 4,530 
			 Upton St. Leonards 1,347 1,351 1,346 1,355 1,356 1,345 
			 Vale 1,465 1,460 1,459 1,479 1,472 1,455 
			 Whiteshill 980 992 1,005 1,010 987 979 
			 Woodfield 2,674 2,656 2,641 2,624 2,617 2,640 
			 Wotton and Kingswood 5,887 5,917 5,920 5,955 5,926 5,884 
			 (1) As created by The District of Stroud (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1979 and as amended by The Gloucestershire Districts (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1991. 
		
	
	
		
			  Ward Electorates 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Stroud District(2) 85,552 86,439 84,881 86,136 84,909 86,404 86,923 87,964 
			 Amberley and Woodchester 1,754 1,755 1,719 1,722 1,711 1,750 1,740 1,700 
			 Berkeley 3,299 3,338 3,263 3,320 3,254 3,326 3,307 3,332 
			 Bisley 1,746 1,756 1,760 1,774 1,781 1,794 1,799 1,815 
			 Cainscross 5,107 5,179 5,136 5,185 5,154 5,300 5,371 5,461 
			 Cam East 3,318 3,310 3,259 3,300 3,247 3,277 3,267 3,264 
			 Cam West 3,294 3,313 3,231 3,232 3,156 3,242 3,220 3,230 
			 Central 1,386 1,409 1,419 1,471 1,440 1,416 1,466 1,475 
			 Chalford 4,935 5,003 4,921 4,961 4,896 4,994 5,013 5,044 
			 Coaley and Uley 1,856 1,870 1,836 1,859 1,862 1,882 1,877 1,879 
			 Dursley 4,539 4,670 4,516 4,568 4,406 4,568 4,744 4,907 
			 Eastington and Standish 1,514 1,515 1,481 1,459 1,486 1,493 1,463 1,398 
			 Farmhill and Paganhill 1,753 1,738 1,678 1,738 1,650 1,661 1,696 1,706 
			 Hardwicke 3,575 3,651 3,590 3,742 3,667 3,719 3,736 3,739 
			 Kingswood 1,568 1,580 1,541 1,559 1,574 1,575 1,559 1,582 
			 Minchinhampton 3,350 3,410 3,378 3,429 3,408 3,443 3,493 3,557 
			 Nailsworth 4,897 4,907 4,849 4,936 4,852 5,005 5,066 5,239 
			 Over Stroud 1,430 1,427 1,412 1,451 1,438 1,434 1,423 1,435 
			 Painswick 3,404 3,420 3,384 3,467 3,461 3,519 3,585 3,644 
			 Rodborough 3,547 3,521 3,461 3,500 3,444 3,500 3,473 3,516 
			 Severn 3,536 3,591 3,553 3,672 3,661 3,684 3,710 3,734 
			 Slade 1,663 1,674 1,594 1,600 1,535 1,557 1,589 1,589 
			 Stonehouse 5,572 5,717 5,680 5,801 5,685 5,823 5,893 5,914 
			 The Stanleys 3,447 3,459 3,355 3,354 3,303 3,373 3,350 3,312 
			 Thrupp 1,801 1,810 1,806 1,786 1,766 1,812 1,818 1,831 
			 Trinity 1,621 1,625 1,528 1,551 1,522 1,603 1,613 1,665 
			 Uplands 1,741 1,759 1,727 1,720 1,666 1,696 1,695 1,698 
			 Upton St. Leonards 1,800 1,803 1,786 1,814 1,797 1,812 1,807 2,020 
			 Vale 1,454 1,443 1,436 1,484 1,489 1,485 1,484 1,500 
			 Valley 1,667 1,695 1,560 1,624 1,566 1,601 1,620 1,716 
			 Wotton-under-Edge 4,978 5,091 5,022 5,057 5,032 5,060 5,046 5,062 
			 (2) As created by The District of Stroud (Parishes and Electoral Changes) Order 2001 and as altered by The Stroud (Parish Electoral Arrangements and Electoral Changes) Order 2008.

Government Departments: Internet

Margaret Moran: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much she plans to spend on the use of new media to undertake public consultation in the next three years.

Tessa Jowell: Departmental spending plans are only available for the period of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007, and current projected figures for the use of new media regarding public consultations are not available.

Iraq Committee of Inquiry

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many  (a) documents and  (b) other items of information in electronic format provided by her Department to the Iraq Inquiry that Inquiry has sought to publish under the procedure set out in the protocol on documents and other written and electronic information; and if she will make a statement;

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  how many requests the Iraq Inquiry has made for the disclosure of classified documents under the protocol on documents and other written and electronic information;
	(2)  how many classified documents have been passed to the Iraq Inquiry which may not be disclosed under the protocol on documents and other written and electronic information.

Tessa Jowell: The Government have made clear that the Inquiry will have access to every Government document or electronic record that it wishes, regardless of classification; Government Departments have already provided most of the information the Inquiry has requested and arrangements are in place to ensure that the remainder they hold is provided as quickly as possible. Requests from the Inquiry for declassification of documents are being handled in accordance with the Protocol agreed between the Government and the Inquiry, which is available on the Cabinet Office's website and a copy is in the Library of the House.

Iraq Committee of Inquiry: Mass Media

John Whittingdale: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what arrangements are in place for the provision of footage obtained from the broadcast pool camera at the Iraq Inquiry to news agencies and news providers;  [Official Report, 1 March 2010, Vol. 506, c. 12MC.]
	(2)  if she will make it her policy to ensure that all video news agencies providers have access to low-resolution footage from the broadcast pool camera at the Iraq Inquiry.

Tessa Jowell: The Cabinet Office is not responsible for the broadcast footage of the Iraq Inquiry. The UK Broadcasting Pool, a partnership between the BBC, Sky News and ITN, is responsible for distributing footage from their cameras in the Inquiry's hearing room. Other broadcasters would need to make arrangements with the pool, not the Government or the Inquiry. There is already an agreement to provide footage to all Iraqi broadcasters at no cost.
	The Cabinet Office, as the sponsoring department for the Inquiry, has a contract with the Pool to receive footage for use on the Iraq Inquiry website, which is made available to the public for free.

Ministerial Policy Advisers: Information Officers

Nick Hurd: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the supplementary letter of 21 October 2008 from her Department in its written evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications HL 7, what her most recent estimate is of the number of special advisers whose responsibilities are primarily in communications.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) on 11 November 2009,  Official Report, column 414W.

Public Sector: Internet

Nick Hurd: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which public sector websites have been discontinued since her Department announced its plans to rationalise the overall number; and on what date each was discontinued.

Tessa Jowell: I have asked the chief executive of the Central Office of Information to write to the hon. Member.
	 Letter from Mark Lund, dated 2 February 2010:
	asking which public sector websites have been discontinued since her Department announced its plans to rationalise the overall number; and on what dates each was discontinued.
	Each government department is responsible for undertaking Website Reviews and packaging their information and communications in a form that is easy to understand and find. As a consequence, many central government websites migrate their content onto more appropriate and easily findable locations, including businesslink.gov.uk, Directgov and third parties. The list of central government websites reported as being closed up to 7th August 2009 was placed in Parliament's Library in August 2009, although a record of the date on which each was discontinued is not held centrally.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Academies Enterprise Trust

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  when he last inspected the accounts of the Academies Enterprise Trust;
	(2)  if he will list the salaries of  (a) the Chief Executive and  (b) other senior officials of the Academies Enterprise Trust in each of the last three financial years.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 8 February 2010
	All Academy Trusts (which includes Charitable Trusts running more than one Academy) are required to publish annual accounts in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. The Charity Commission has published a Statement of Recommended Practice which clarifies how charities should prepare their accounts in order to reflect these legal requirements. The Statement of Recommended Practice states that charities which are subject to a statutory audit should include a note in their accounts disclosing the number of employees whose emoluments were £60,000 or above, presented in £10,000 bandings. The Department expects Academy Trusts to comply with the Statement of Recommended Practice.
	The Academies Enterprises Trust comprises Greensward Academy, Maltings Academy and New Rickstones Academy, which opened in September 2008 and Clacton Coast which opened in September 2009. For the Academies that opened in 2008, their first annual report and accounts will cover the period 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2009. The Academies Enterprise Trust was required to submit their accounts to the Department by 31 December 2009 for academies that opened in 2008. The accounts have been received by the Department but have not yet been finalised. Once finalised, they will be published on the Charities Commission's website.
	For the Clacton Coastal Academy, audited accounts are due to be with the Department by 31 December 2010.

Academies: South East

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding for academies in South East England has been provided by  (a) the Government and  (b) sponsors since the inception of the academy scheme.

Vernon Coaker: There are 24 open academies in south-east England with a further 13 in development. To date, the amount of funding provided by the Department for Children, Schools and Families for these academies is £613,448,699. This includes the capital costs for new buildings that have been completed or where construction has started. The total funding provided to date by the sponsors of academies in south-east England is £15,228,849.

Departmental Buildings

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much  (a) his Department and its predecessors and  (b) their agencies spent on (i) cleaning, (ii) electricity and (iii) heating in each of the last 12 years.

Diana Johnson: The information is as follows:
	The data was requested for the last 12 years, however, the Department is only able to supply 10 years and is only required to retain financial records and original documentation for six years after the end of the financial year in which the transaction took place.
	The Department for Children, Schools and Families was created on 28 June 2007 as a result of a machinery of government change and the expenditure recorded includes those of the two predecessor Departments, the Department for Education and Employment (DFEE) and the Department for Education and Skills (DFES).
	The expenditure for 2007-08 and 2008-09 also includes any costs incurred by the Department for Universities, Innovation and Skills, where these costs relate to areas formerly the responsibility of the Department for Education and Skills.
	
		
			  £ 
			   Heating  Electric  Cleaning 
			 1999/2000 167,205 1,187,157 533,316 
			 2000/01 205,799 845,288 534,722 
			 2001/02 217,364 968,905 626,450 
			 2002/03 207,702 916,600 793,366 
			 2003/04 200,341 891,855 830,681 
			 2004/05 269,672 1,186,467 1,037,114 
			 2005/06 224,323 1,296,242 1,060,495 
			 2006/07 317,450 1,828,640 1,233,339 
			 2007/08 292,058 2,405,021 774,583 
			 2008/09 256,624 2,591,851 795,217

Departmental Public Expenditure

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the cost to his Department was of provision of office facilities to  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers in the 2008-09 financial year.

Diana Johnson: The total cost on the provision of office facilities to special advisers and press officers during the last 2008-09 financial year amounted to £126,381.44.

Health Education: Sex

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has for the role of local education authorities in determining the curriculum for sex and relationships education under the provisions proposed in the Children, Schools and Families Bill.

Diana Johnson: The Children, Schools and Families (CSF) Bill makes no provision for local authorities to have a role in determining the content of schools' sex and relationships education (SRE) programmes.

Hotels

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many hotel room nights were booked by officials in  (a) his Department and its predecessor and  (b) their agencies in each year since 2007; and how much (i) his Department and its predecessor and (ii) their agencies spent on the fees of third party agents in booking hotel accommodation in each of those years.

Diana Johnson: The data requested was for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). DCSF was established under the machinery of government changes on 28 June 2007. The data starts from July when Expotel took over the hotel booking contract for the department. Data prior to July can be provided only at disproportionate costs.
	The data has been provided by the Department's hotel booking agent Expotel.
	The number of hotel room nights booked by officials in  (a) his Department and its predecessor is:
	
		
			  DCSF 
			   Number 
			 2007 8,073 
			 2008 11,558 
			 2009 6,023 
		
	
	 (b) Their agencies in each year since 2007 are:
	
		
			   Number 
			  Qualifications and Curriculum Authority  
			 2007 0 
			 2008 1,425 
			 2009 2,137 
			   
			  National Measurement Office  
			 2007 0 
			 2008 96 
			 2009 0 
			   
			  11 Million  
			 2007 0 
			 2008 32 
			 2009 0 
			   
			  Ofsted  
			 2007 0 
			 2008 19,395 
			 2009 17,441 
			   
			  Learning and Skills Council  
			 2007 7,422 
			 2008 7,146 
			 2009 4,234 
			   
			  CAFCASS  
			 2007 72 
			 2008 1,183 
			 2009 2,380 
			   
			  School Food Trust  
			 2007 10 
			 2008 14 
			 2009 0 
		
	
	There are no fees incurred as the service for booking accommodation is free of charge.

Personal Social and Health Education

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what role governors would have in determining the curriculum in the understanding physical development, health and well-being area of learning in primary schools under the provisions proposed in the Children, Schools and Families Bill.

Diana Johnson: Under the provisions proposed in the Children, Schools and Families Bill, the governing body of every maintained school would have a duty to exercise its functions with a view to securing that the curriculum meets the statutory requirements set out in the programmes of study for each of the areas of learning, including understanding physical development, health and well-being.

Pre-school Education

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how much of the dedicated schools grant will be allocated for the delivery of the three to four year-old nursery entitlement in 2010-11;
	(2)  much of the dedicated schools grant will be allocated for under five year-olds in 2010-11.

Vernon Coaker: The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is allocated to local authorities and is distributed using a single guaranteed unit of funding per pupil for each authority. The Government do not fund local authorities according to the age or phase of education of pupils but we fund local authorities a single guaranteed unit of funding for the number of pupils on roll. It is then for local authorities to fund the provision of education for three to 16 year-olds in their area via their local funding formula, which includes the provision of free entitlement for three and four year-olds.
	Final figures for 2010-11 are not yet available but our indicative figures can be found on
	http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/schoolfunding/schoolfunding2008to11/dsg200811/

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much has been spent per pupil in each local authority area in the South East in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: The available information on how much has been spent per pupil in each local authority in the south-east is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Combined LEA and school based expenditure 
			   1992-93  1993-94  1994-95  1995-96  1996-97  1997-98  1998-99 ( 1) 1999- 20 00  2000-01 
			 England 2,640 2,710 2,690 2,660 2,690 2,710 2,850 2,800 2,980 
			   
			 Berkshire 2,470 2,620 2,590 2,510 2,580 2,560 0 0 0 
			 Bracknell Forest 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,660 2,730 2,960 
			 Brighton and Hove 0 0 0 0 0 2,880 3,010 2,940 3,060 
			 Buckinghamshire 0 0 0 0 0 2,750 2,800 2,720 2,860 
			 East Sussex 0 0 0 0 0 2,670 2,760 2,840 2,990 
			 Hampshire 0 0 0 0 0 2,660 2,730 2,620 2,730 
			 Isle of Wight 2,560 2,690 2,650 2,590 2,650 2,730 2,870 2,820 3,080 
			 Kent 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,000 2,700 2,850 
			 Medway 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,630 2,580 2,880 
			 Milton Keynes 0 0 0 0 0 2,530 2,680 2,730 2,750 
			 Oxfordshire 2,780 2,760 2,740 2,610 2,630 2,690 2,750 2,670 2,880 
			 Portsmouth 0 0 0 0 0 2,810 2,950 2,870 3,020 
			 Pre LGR Bucks 2,680 2,730 2,790 2,660 2,670 0 0 0 0 
			 Pre LGR East Sussex 2,680 2,780 2,730 2,750 2,770 0 0 0 0 
			 Pre LGR Hampshire 2,590 2,700 2,700 2,620 2,660 0 0 0 0 
			 Pre LGR Kent 2,460 2,630 2,660 2,680 2,710 2,710 0 0 0 
			 Reading 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,860 2,960 3,000 
			 Slough 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,190 3,040 3,290 
			 Southampton 0 0 0 0 0 2,720 2,880 2,850 3,130 
			 Surrey 2,850 2,970 2,880 2,900 2,840 2,800 2,940 2,710 2,820 
			 West Berkshire 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,600 2,690 2,830 
			 West Sussex 2,530 2,630 2,630 2,610 2,630 2,670 2,760 2,710 2,830 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,810 2,840 3,070 
			 Wokingham 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,520 2,690 2,850 
		
	
	
		
			   2001-02 ( 1) 2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 England 3,290 3,440 3,890 4,140 4,450 4,710 5,050 5,340 
			  
			 Berkshire 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Bracknell Forest 3,180 3,280 3,760 4,010 4,350 4,640 4,830 5,060 
			 Brighton and Hove 3,380 3,400 4,000 4,210 4,500 4,650 5,010 5,150 
			 Buckinghamshire 3,180 3,390 3,730 4,130 4,620 4,580 4,820 4,980 
			 East Sussex 3,300 3,340 3,840 4,140 4,370 4,660 4,850 5,120 
			 Hampshire 3,000 3,220 3,530 3,750 4,000 4,190 4,490 4,800 
			 Isle of Wight 3,390 3,490 3,870 4,090 4,490 4,840 5,180 5,540 
			 Kent 3,150 3,290 3,710 3,940 4,210 4,450 4,700 5,070 
			 Medway 3,140 3,300 3,820 4,100 4,370 4,560 4,830 5,070 
			 Milton Keynes 3,200 3,170 3,660 4,000 4,230 4,610 4,910 5,200 
			 Oxfordshire 3,150 3,370 3,860 4,070 4,310 4,490 4,780 5,030 
			 Portsmouth 3,400 3,700 4,030 4,260 4,560 4,590 4,870 5,170 
			 Pre LGR Bucks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Pre LGR East Sussex 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Pre LGR Hampshire 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Pre LGR Kent 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Reading 3,340 3,750 4,040 4,420 4,760 5,060 5,170 5,540 
			 Slough 3,680 3,840 4,310 4,590 4,750 4,840 5,080 5,500 
			 Southampton 3,430 2,980 4,110 4,450 4,650 4,900 5,280 5,580 
			 Surrey 3,140 3,380 3,610 3,850 4,140 4,320 4,680 4,980 
			 West Berkshire 3,210 3,390 3,720 4,030 4,160 4,540 4,800 4,950 
			 West Sussex 3,000 3,200 3,560 3,800 4,140 4,400 4,700 4,810 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 3,350 3,520 3,850 4,090 4,360 4,560 4;940 5,100 
			 Wokingham 3,090 3,210 3,530 3,740 4,170 4,320 4,600 4,660 
			 (1) 1999-2000 saw a change in data source when the data collection moved from the RO1 to the Section 52 Outturn collection from the DCSF. 2002-03 saw a further break in the time series following the introduction of Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) and the associated restructuring of the outturn tables.  Notes: 1. The information used in the chart has been drawn from CLG's RO1 form (1992-93 to 1999-2000. 2. Pupil figures include all pre-primary pupils, including those under 5s funded by the LA and being educated in private settings, pupils educated in maintained mainstream schools and other LA maintained pupils. The pupil data for pupils attending maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools are taken from the DCSF Annual Schools Census. Private voluntary and independent (PVI) under 5 pupil numbers are taken from the Early Years census but are only included for 1999-2000 onwards. For 1995-96 onwards other LA maintained pupils are included in the pupil count. This includes all pupils attending schools not maintained by the authority for whom the authority is paying full tuition fees, or educated otherwise than in schools and pupil referral units under arrangements made by the authority drawn from the Form 8b submitted to the DCSF. Also included as other LA maintained pupils are all pupils attending pupil referral units who are not registered at a maintained mainstream school drawn from the DCSF Annual Schools Census. All pupil numbers are adjusted to be on a financial year basis. 3. Local government reorganisation (LGR) took place during the mid to late 1990's and those LAs that did not exist either pre or post LGR have no expenditure for those years. 4. Figures are rounded to the nearest £10.

Qualifications and Curriculum Framework: Finance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much  (a) his Department,  (b) the Qualifications and Curriculum Agency,  (c) the Learning and Skills Council and  (d) the Learning and Skills Improvement Service have spent on the Qualifications and Curriculum Framework (QCF) in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and how much each organisation has allocated to QCF for (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12.

Kevin Brennan: Figures are given in the following table. The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a new way of recognising achievement through the award of credit for units and qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The QCF was approved by Ministers in November 2008, following two years of test and trial led by the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA). Figures for 2009-10 are based on actual expenditure up to November 2009, the latest date for which figures are available, plus forecast expenditure for the remainder of the financial year. No figures are yet available for 2010-11 or 2011-12 for BIS, the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) or Ofqual. In the case of the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS), BIS will be making £46.85 million available in 2010-11 for all of LSIS' needs, and it will be for LSIS itself to determine how much-a very small proportion of that total-it spends on QCF. No figure has yet been determined for LSIS' budget in 2011-12. Expenditure by QCDA on QCF in 2010-11 and 2011-12 will be zero.
	
		
			  Actual and forecast expenditure on the Qualifications and Credit Framework 
			  £ million 
			   2007-08 (Actual)  2008-09 (Actual)  2009-10 (Forecast) 
			 BIS 0.12 0.82 1.60 
			 QCDA 2.93 2.96 2.42 
			 Ofqual(1) - - 3.43 
			 LSC/SFA 0.00 3.64 13.77 
			 LSIS 0.00 0.00 2.43 
			 (1) Ofqual's allocation is shown separately from QCDA for 2009-10 as it was operationally separate

Schools: Bureaucracy

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what forms were sent to schools by his Department for headteachers to complete in each year from 2006 to date; and if he will make a statement.

Diana Johnson: The requested information cannot be supplied without incurring disproportionate cost.

Social Services: Children

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many allegations of conduct warranting a child social services investigation have been received by local authority social services in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 3 February 2010
	The Department does not collect this information.

Social Services: Children

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of births were in areas where a children's centre was operational in the last 12 months; what percentage of such births were reported to local children's services and children's centres; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 3 February 2010
	Sure Start children's centres are becoming a universal service for all young children and their families. At the end of December 2009, there were 3,381 designated children's centres and we are on track to reach our target 3,500 centres by March 2010. All children born in England will therefore soon have access to early childhood services through their local children's centre.
	The Department does not collect information nationally on how much data are reported from the NHS to children's centres. But health services are part of the children's centre core offer, with health visitors in children's centres playing a key role delivering the 'Healthy Child Programme' (the evidenced-based child public health programme offered to all families from pregnancy to five years of age) and making the vital first link to the wide range of services on offer including antenatal and postnatal care.
	Information sharing is crucial and we plan to publish a leaflet shortly focusing on health, children's centres and information sharing. Its target audience will include health visitors and midwives because of their unique early interaction with all new parents and it will set out minimum standards we expect centres and health professionals to adhere to, in terms of sharing and retaining birth data. This leaflet is designed to be read alongside the cross-Government guidance on information sharing which is the overall authority in this area. The guidance can be found at:
	www.dcsf.gov.uk/ecm/informationsharing

Teachers: Early Retirement

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of teachers who have taken early retirement from each type of institution in  (a) Suffolk,  (b) Norfolk,  (c) Essex,  (d) Cambridgeshire,  (e) Bedfordshire,  (f) Hertfordshire and  (g) England in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: A table giving the number of teachers awarded early retirement benefits from the teachers' pensions scheme in each local authority in the east of England Government office region and England in each year from 1996/97 to 2008/09, the latest information available, has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Teachers: Training

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will place in the Library a copy of each item of guidance on capability procedures for teachers issued by his Department.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 8 February 2010
	The Department's guidance on the capability procedures for teachers is readily available in the public domain and can be found at the following link:
	http://publications.dcsf.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction= productdetailsPageMode=publicationsProductld=DFEE 0125/2000

HOME DEPARTMENT

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many meetings of  (a) the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and  (b) its sub-committees have taken place since 1 November 2008;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to fill the vacancies on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs; and when he expects those vacancies to be filled;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the effects of the vacancies on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on the functioning of the Council.

Alan Campbell: The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has had the following meetings since 1 November 2008:
	 The ACMD
	25 November 2008
	23 and 24 March 2009
	14 May 2009
	19 June 2009
	10 November 2009
	14 December 2009
	 The Technical Committee
	10 March 2008
	6 July 2009
	29 October 2009
	 The Prevention Working group - Hepatitis
	22 January 2009
	 Anabolic Steroids Working Group
	1 April 2009
	1 October 2009
	 Pathways to Problems Working Group
	10 June 2009
	 Cognitive Enhancers Working Group
	8 August 2009
	8 October 2009
	 New Psychoactive Substances Working Group
	8 August 2009
	8 October 2009
	 Polysubstance Use Working Group
	30 August 2009
	I understand that the ACMD is scheduled to meet to discuss the cathinones in February and has a Technical Committee and ACMD meeting scheduled for March.
	A recruitment campaign has been initiated to fill the statutory positions on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Adverts will be placed for the positions by early February 2010. The appointment of new members will be made following open competition, and will be undertaken in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Office of the Commission for Public Appointments (OCPA). The process will be scrutinised by an Independent Public Appointments Assessor. It is expected that these vacancies will be filled within three months of advertising.
	I met with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) on 10 November to discuss, and agree, ways in which the Council would function in the future. The outcome of this meeting is published in a joint statement
	http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/Joint_Statement_-_ACMD_HSec.pdf
	The chair of the ACMD has stated that it is continuing to work to advise Government on issues concerning harmful drugs. As is normal practice, the ACMD can co-opt members where specific expertise is required and it is expected that new ACMD members will be recruited over the coming months. I therefore do not believe it is necessary to make any further assessment of the effects of the vacancies on the functioning of the ACMD.

Alcohol Disorder Zones

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many alcohol disorder zones are in force.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 26 January 2010
	There are currently no Alcohol Disorder Zones (ADZs) in place.
	ADZs came into force in June 2008 and the Home Office has been clear that an ADZ should only be used as a measure of last resort, after all other tools and powers have been tried. The Government are aware that a number of local areas have threatened to impose an ADZ, in order to achieve compliance from the licensed trade. To support areas, the Home Office is running a series of 50 alcohol enforcement workshops in our alcohol priority areas, in order to ensure that frontline agencies are aware of the full range of powers they have available to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder, and to ensure that those powers are used effectively.
	Additionally, I recently announced the introduction of the mandatory code of practice for the alcohol industry, in order to ensure that irresponsible practices by the licensed trade are prohibited.

Anti-terrorism Control Orders

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police force was responsible for the enforcement of the control order in the case of each of the seven individuals who have absconded from an order.

David Hanson: The Metropolitan police force was responsible for the enforcement of four of the seven control orders. It is not possible to provide a further breakdown of the police forces responsible because of the national security sensitivities of these cases and the need to avoid publishing any information that could lead to the identification of an individual who is subject to an anonymity order.
	The written ministerial statements in relation to control orders published on 11 December 2006, 16 January 2007, 22 March 2007, 24 May 2007, 21 June 2007, 17 September 2007, 12 December 2007 and 10 March 2008 gave further information about the seven control order absconds.

Assaults on Police: Sick Leave

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sickness days were taken consequent on assaults on  (a) police and  (b) community support officers in each police force in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: The available data are given in the table. Data are collected only for 'all officers' and 'all staff'. CSO's are counted, but not separately, under 'all staff'.
	
		
			  Number of police officer working days lost due to assaults from 2004-05 to 2008-09 
			   2004-05  2005/06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Avon and Somerset 464 n/a 21 566 751 
			 Bedfordshire 112 184 178 219 62 
			 Cambridgeshire 194 284 62 120 25 
			 Cheshire 755 575 115 75 112 
			 Cleveland n/a n/a n/a 77 108 
			 Cumbria 46 150 n/a n/a 341 
			 Derbyshire 262 351 236 143 281 
			 Devon and Cornwall 136 64 334 188 31 
			 Dorset n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Durham 101 28 63 138 161 
			 Dyfed-Powys 274 93 97 154 161 
			 Essex 305 301 248 252 189 
			 Gloucestershire 182 199 165 47 16 
			 Greater Manchester 1,702 1,127 947 832 2,074 
			 Gwent 426 417 n/a 122 n/a 
			 Hampshire 278 302 252 191 n/a 
			 Hertfordshire 134 85 186 n/a n/a 
			 Humberside 133 156 n/a n/a 126 
			 Kent 412 437 748 431 400 
			 Lancashire 1,330 1,095 603 596 472 
			 Leicestershire n/a 193 274 n/a 177 
			 Lincolnshire 95 88 211 344 233 
			 London, City of 44 43 13 2 44 
			 Merseyside 195 184 n/a 407 534 
			 Metropolitan Police 3,401 n/a 7,647 5,848 6,388 
			 Norfolk 272 41 67 162 65 
			 Northamptonshire 20 4 29 6 20 
			 Northumbria 368 290 905 1,075 330 
			 North Wales 169 158 323 133 n/a 
			 North Yorkshire 102 n/a 137 n/a n/a 
			 Nottinghamshire 303 145 n/a 179 193 
			 South Wales n/a n/a n/a n/a 87 
			 South Yorkshire 183 160 104 69 209 
			 Staffordshire 446 285 299 174 115 
			 Suffolk 26 5 213 208 240 
			 Surrey 98 32 20 69 14 
			 Sussex 544 334 109 276 329 
			 Thames Valley 159 n/a n/a n/a 168 
			 Warwickshire 8 63 715 24 29 
			 West Mercia 592 467 446 354 322 
			 West Midlands 1,502 1,313 1,419 1,166 1,200 
			 West Yorkshire 1,383 974 725 691 1,048 
			 Wiltshire 152 37 n/a n/a n/a 
			 n/a = data not available. Force was not able to supply data at the time of collection. (1) Provisional data taken from a supplementary series collected on behalf of HMIC and used for inspection purposes only. Data have not undergone usual quality assurance practices (including validation with individual police forces), except where there are large rises or falls, and are therefore supplied for information purposes only. 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of police staff working days lost due to assaults( 1)  from 2004-05 to 2008-09 
			   2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 
			 Avon and Somerset 81 0 5 71 133 
			 Bedfordshire 10 0 3 0 n/a 
			 Cambridgeshire 36 0 9 0 2 
			 Cheshire 2 42 0 3 17 
			 Cleveland 0 0 0 3 2 
			 Cumbria 0 6 0 n/a n/a 
			 Derbyshire 0 82 16 0 18 
			 Devon and Cornwall 0 3 1 0 20 
			 Dorset n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Durham 0 0 0 0 2 
			 Dyfed-Powys 0 0 0 0 n/a 
			 Essex 14 0 31 0 5 
			 Gloucestershire 1 149 2 10 n/a 
			 Greater Manchester 133 83 94 69 78 
			 Gwent 5 13 n/a 0 n/a 
			 Hampshire 21 4 3 22 n/a 
			 Hertfordshire 0 0 0 0 n/a 
			 Humberside 0 0 0 369 62 
			 Kent 0 41 40 0 n/a 
			 Lancashire 86 110 0 13 26 
			 Leicestershire n/a 0 46 0 2 
			 Lincolnshire 20 0 0 1 2 
			 London, City of 0 0 0 0 n/a 
			 Merseyside 12 0 0 0 13 
			 Metropolitan Police 305 n/a 299 802 347 
			 Norfolk 13 0 22 2 21 
			 Northamptonshire 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Northumbria 7 5 9 15 30 
			 North Wales 31 0 0 20 n/a 
			 North Yorkshire 0 0 0 0 n/a 
			 Nottinghamshire 9 18 n/a 3 5 
			 South Wales 0 0 0 n/a 5 
			 South Yorkshire 6 0 0 25 n/a 
			 Staffordshire 0 5 0 0 10 
			 Suffolk 0 2 4 0 2 
			 Surrey 0 0 90 1 n/a 
			 Sussex 0 0 17 8 0 
			 Thames Valley 0 n/a n/a 0 15 
			 Warwickshire 0 0 9 3 16 
			 West Mercia 0 7 32 20 12 
			 West Midlands 126 97 113 147 208 
			 West Yorkshire 173 18 47 5 60 
			 Wiltshire 0 0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 n/a = data not available. Force was not able to supply data at the time of collection. (1) Provisional data taken from a supplementary series collected on behalf of HMIC and used for inspection purposes only. Data have not undergone usual quality assurance practices (including validation with individual police forces), except where there are large rises or falls, and are therefore supplied for information purposes only.

Control Orders

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost per day is of providing 24-hour surveillance of a controllee subject to a control order.

David Hanson: The Government do not comment on the details of terrorism-related operational matters.

DNA: Databases

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the prison population had a profile stored on the National DNA Database on the latest date for which figures are available.

Alan Campbell: The purpose of the national DNA database (NDNAD) is to match DNA profiles taken from individuals with those taken from crime scenes. It holds only the information necessary for this function, and does not contain criminal records or information on whether those on it are in prison.
	However, there are good reasons for believing that a significant majority of the prison population has a profile on the NDNAD. Police forces have had the power to retain DNA taken from those convicted of recordable offences since the establishment of the DNA database in 1995. For the first few years this power was exercised in relation to more serious offenders, but from 2000 onwards additional funding was made available under the DNA expansion programme to make it standard practice to take samples from all offenders. In April 2004, the law was changed to allow DNA samples to be taken from all those arrested for recordable offences. Following this, taking a DNA sample in the custody suite has become routine procedure. In addition, two prisoner sampling projects have been undertaken, most recently in 2003, to take DNA from any prisoner who had not already been sampled, for example because they had been imprisoned before DNA sampling was widely practiced.
	Legal powers have existed since 1996 to take DNA samples from those in prison. The Crime and Security Bill currently before Parliament allows samples to be taken from those convicted of sexual and violent offences before 1995 even if they are no longer in prison.

DNA: Databases

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people with a profile on the National DNA Database have never been convicted of a crime.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 4 February 2010
	The national DNA database (NDNAD) is designed to match DNA taken from crime scenes with that taken from individuals. It does not hold information on whether those with records on it have convictions, as this is not necessary for this purpose. Data on convictions is held on the Police National Computer (PNC).
	Some data on whether those on the NDNAD have convictions are available from the Police National Computer (PNC) but not as part of the PNC's routine functions. The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) obtains this information periodically, usually once per year. To obtain it more frequently would incur disproportionate cost.
	The most recent figures available for England and Wales show that at 24 April 2009 there were an estimated 4,587,430 persons on the NDNAD, of whom 79 per cent. (an estimated 3,601,245 persons) had a current conviction, caution, formal warning or reprimand recorded on the PNC. The remaining 21 per cent. (an estimated 986,185 persons) includes those people who have been convicted and have had their records deleted, those against whom proceedings are still ongoing, and those who have never been convicted.

Forced Marriage

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people affected by forced marriage have received  (a) direct assistance from the Forced Marriage Unit and  (b) assistance from third sector organisations funded by the Forced Marriage Unit.

Alan Campbell: In 2009, the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) helpline gave advice and support in 1,682 separate instances of possible forced marriage (this figure counts multiple calls on one case as one instance) and the unit itself dealt with 375 cases of forced marriage. The FMU is committed to working closely with the third sector to provide victims with the full range of support and assistance and has increased funding to third sector organisation over recent years.
	It is not possible to provide statistics for the number of people affected by forced marriage who received assistance from third sector organisations funded by the unit in financial year 2009-10. This is because the projects are ongoing and the outcomes of the projects are not necessarily quantifiable in these terms. Funds were provided, for instance, for projects designed to increase awareness of forced marriage and appropriate responses to it among various professional, peer and community groups. It is not possible to accurately assess the number of individuals engaged by these projects that have themselves already been directly affected by forced marriage. Going forward, the FMU are working with Governmental and non-governmental partners to build the best statistical picture possible.

Fraud

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many counterfeit  (a) passports and  (b) driving licences have been confiscated in each year since 1998-99; and how many counterfeit identity cards have been confiscated.

Alan Johnson: The number of counterfeit UK passports identified in the UK and recorded by UK Border Agency (UKBA) since 2000 are shown in the following table. No figures are available prior to 2000. The figure for 2009 is up until the end of September. No data is recorded in respect of counterfeit passports recovered overseas.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2000 11 
			 2001 0 
			 2002 7 
			 2003 0 
			 2004 9 
			 2005 6 
			 2006 7 
			 2007 13 
			 2008 23 
			 2009 15 
			 Total 91 
		
	
	The following table provides the number of counterfeit driving licences referred to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the last four years.
	No figures are available prior to 2006.
	
		
			   Counterfeit photocard licence  Counterfeit paper counterpart to licence 
			 2006 205 5 
			 2007 104 4 
			 2008 94 4 
			 2009 87 3 
			 Totals 490 16 
		
	
	The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) began publicly issuing Identity Cards to UK Nationals on 30 November 2009. To date IPS have not identified or confiscated any counterfeit cards. The UKBA began issuing Identity Cards to foreign nationals on 25 November 2008. To date UKBA have not identified or confiscated any counterfeit cards.

Methadone

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the risks of the recreational use of methadone;
	(2)  what recent representations he has received on the classification of methadone; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: Based on the hon. Member's subsequent clarification, this answer addresses mephedrone, not methadone.
	Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is a stimulant drug which is structurally related to cathinone and methcathinone, both of which are controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), whom we are required by statute to consult before bringing forward legislation under the 1971 Act to Parliament, is currently considering the harms of mephedrone and related cathinone compounds as a priority. The ACMD's latest letter on its consideration of these drugs is available at:
	http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/publication-search/acmd/acmdmephedrone2835.pdf?view=Binary
	In addition to the ACMD's letter, representations have been received from Members of Parliament and the public.

Passports: Concessions

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to extend the entitlement to a free passport to those who are over the age of 80 years after September 2009.

Meg Hillier: The free passport scheme is a special concession that was introduced in 2004 initially to assist Second World War veterans who were travelling to 60(th) anniversary commemorative events, such as those visiting the Normandy landing beaches. It was extended to cover all those born on or before 2 September 1929 who would have been aged 16 or over at the end of the second World War in Europe and so were old enough by the end of the war to have made a substantial contribution to the national effort either by being in the armed forces or civilian employment.
	This scheme was intended as a recognition of the contribution of second world war veterans rather than being an age related concession and, accordingly, there are no plans to extend it to those who will be over 80 after September 2009. Any extension would be considerably more expensive and would have to be financed by increasing passport fees for other applicants.
	However, we have now started to issue identity cards to British citizens that are valid for travel in Europe at a fee of £30 compared to the passport fee of £77.50. Currently identity cards are available to anyone resident in the United Kingdom who holds a valid or recently expired passport and has registered an interest on the Identity and Passport Service website at:
	https://info.ips.gov.uk/ipscw/reg
	or does so before 30 June 2010. It is intended that by 2012 that anyone applying for a passport will be offered the choice of being issued with an identity card or passport or both documents.

Police: Training

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost of training  (a) a police officer,  (b) a community support officer and  (c) a special constable is in England and Wales.

Alan Johnson: The Initial Police Training and Development Programme (IPLDP) form the basis of initial training for  (a) a police officer  (b) a police community support officer and  (c) a special constable in England and Wales.
	From April 2006 the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) assisted the rollout of the IPLDP to all 43 Home Office forces. Each police force has the autonomy as to the way they meet/exceed the standards set out in the IPLDP curriculum and the amount that they spend.
	To help support the delivery of the learning programme, from April 2008 to March 2011 the Home Office has a central supplementary fund of £16.2 million which is currently distributed according to each police force's average recruitment during 2006-08. Central provision of training was discontinued in 2006. This information is not held centrally.

HEALTH

Ambulance Services: Standards

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in respect of which ambulance trusts performance in meeting the target for responding to category A calls has declined since October 2007.

Mike O'Brien: Ambulance response time statistics are published annually reporting performance over a full financial year, therefore is not available for the time period requested. The annual statistics also report against two category A standards for urgent and emergency incidents; receiving a response at the scene of the incident within eight minutes 75 per cent. of the time, and if the patient requires transport this should arrive within 19 minutes of the request for transport being made 95 per cent. of the time.
	The published annual data for 2007-08 and 2008-09 show that:
	10 out of 12 ambulance services achieved the category A eight minute response time standard in 2007-08, of these three services reported performance below the standard in 2008-09 (North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust and South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust).
	10 out of 12 ambulance services achieved the category A 19 minute response time standard in 2007-08, all these 10 services achieved the standard in 2008-09.
	From 1 April 2008, the way that national health service ambulance trusts measure response times has changed. This change is commonly referred to as 'call connect'. Response times are now measured from the point when the call is presented to the control room telephone switch. Previously, response times were measured from the point when certain details had been ascertained from the caller, an average of 90 seconds later. Therefore 2008-09 data involving the new 'call connect' response time measurement (i.e. eight and 19 minute response times) are not comparable with earlier years.

Departmental Sick Leave

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in his Department have had five or more periods of sickness absence of less than five days in two or more of the last three years.

Phil Hope: The Department gives managing sickness absence the importance it deserves. Our policy Managing Sickness Absence-promoting attendance at work promotes a positive approach to managing and responding to sickness absence.
	Human resources routinely make contact with line managers and members of staff at agreed absence trigger points, advising on the policy and support available to maximise attendance and support health and well-being at work. This can include occupational health referrals, return to work interviews, making use of the employee assistance programme, and consideration of reasonable adjustments to the role or physical environment.
	Human resources provide continued support to managers and members of staff in maintaining acceptable attendance levels and advising on process for formal action where acceptable attendance levels cannot be sustained.
	In December 2008, the Department published its policy on health and well-being for all its staff. One of the aims of the policy is to improve attendance at work.
	A new more proactive new occupational health service is being tendered now which will also have an impact on attendance at work.
	The information could be provided in the format requested only at disproportionate cost. However the Department can provide information for the last four years on the numbers of staff who have had five or more periods of sickness of less than five days in a year. This is given in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of staff having five or more periods of sickness of less than five days 
			 2008-09 92 
			 2007-08 95 
			 2006-07 95 
			 2005-06 87 
		
	
	Information is not available before 2005-06.

Departmental Training

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 12 January 2010,  Official Report, column 910W, on departmental training, when the training was provided; whether external organisations provided the training; what the cost was of the training; and to which Ministers training was provided.

Phil Hope: Training is provided to Ministers on a range of issues including handling the media, as part of their induction and continuing development in order to carry out their duties effectively under the ministerial code.

Food: Labelling

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria have been agreed for evaluating the second phase of the pre-consultation pilot project of the healthier food mark.

Gillian Merron: The evaluation of the phase one pre-consultation healthier food mark pilots is in the process of being reviewed. Once this process has been completed, the revised nutrition and sustainability criteria will be published on the healthier food mark website:
	www.dh.gov.uk/healthierfoodmark
	prior to the launch of the phase two pilots.

General Practitioners

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of people in  (a) each primary care trust area and  (b) England who responded to his Department's general practice patient survey reported that contacting their GP out-of-hours service was (i) very easy, (ii) fairly easy, (iii) not very easy, (iv) not at all easy and (v) don't know in (A) 2008-09 and (B) 2009-10.

Mike O'Brien: The information requested has been placed in the Library.
	The data comes with a heavy warning that the data from the two years are not directly comparable. This is because the survey in 2008-09 was a one-off survey covering the whole year whereas the 2009-10 survey is being conducted quarterly. So far we have data from just two quarters in 2009-10 and consequently the sample size is much smaller.

General Practitioners

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of people in  (a) each primary care trust area and  (b) England who responded to his Department's general practice patient survey reported that their GP out-of-hours service was (i) very good, (ii) good, (iii) neither good nor poor, (iv) poor, (v) very poor and (vi) don't know in (A) 2008-09 and (B) 2009-10.

Mike O'Brien: This information requested has been placed in the Library.
	The data provided comes with a clear warning that data from the two years are not directly comparable. This is because the survey in 2008-09 was a one-off survey covering the whole year whereas the 2009-10 survey is being conducted quarterly. So far we have data from just two quarters in 2009-10 and consequently the sample size is much smaller.

Health Protection Agency: Location

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with  (a) staff and  (b) trade unions on the proposed relocation of the Health Protection Agency from the Porton Down site near Salisbury to Harlow, Essex.

Gillian Merron: None. It is for the Health Protection Agency to hold such discussions with its staff and their representatives, and it will do so as appropriate.

Health Services

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people received medical attention in hospital as a result of attacks by dogs in each primary care trust in  (a) the East of England and  (b) London in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Data relating to the number of finished admission episodes for patients bitten or struck by a dog, by primary care trust (PCT) in the East of England and London strategic health authority (SHA) of residence for the years 2004-05 to 2008-09 has been set out in the following table.
	
		
			  2006-07  to  2008-09 
			  SHA/PCT description  2008-09  2007-08  2006-07 
			  East of England SHA total 413 398 386 
			 Luton PCT 6 8 * 
			 South East Essex PCT 21 29 * 
			 Bedfordshire PCT 31 21 13 
			 East and North Hertfordshire PCT 51 33 50 
			 West Hertfordshire PCT 37 44 37 
			 Peterborough PCT 9 11 10 
			 Cambridgeshire PCT 42 43 61 
			 Norfolk PCT 62 52 63 
			 Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT 27 8 11 
			 Suffolk PCT 23 30 36 
			 West Essex PCT 19 17 18 
			 North East Essex PCT 19 31 27 
			 Mid Essex PCT 42 40 21 
			 South West Essex PCT 24 31 23 
			 
			  London SHA total 540 525 435 
			 Havering PCT 17 12 22 
			 Kingston PCT * 10 * 
			 Bromley PCT 8 14 19 
			 Greenwich Teaching PCT 20 18 22 
			 Barnet PCT 14 16 9 
			 Hillingdon PCT 19 18 20 
			 Enfield PCT 21 18 17 
			 Barking and Dagenham PCT 12 14 11 
			 City and Hackney Teaching PCT 11 14 10 
			 Tower Hamlets PCT 17 17 16 
			 Newham PCT 16 25 18 
			 Haringey Teaching PCT 12 14 7 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 19 17 13 
			 Ealing PCT 30 28 19 
			 Hounslow PCT 19 18 11 
			 Brent Teaching PCT 11 11 * 
			 Harrow PCT * 6 6 
			 Camden PCT 10 19 21 
			 Islington PCT 11 11 10 
			 Croydon PCT 23 18 25 
			 Kensington and Chelsea PCT 20 15 10 
			 Westminster PCT 12 16 8 
			 Lambeth PCT 31 28 28 
			 Southwark PCT 35 24 15 
			 Lewisham PCT 24 20 9 
			 Wandsworth PCT 24 27 22 
			 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 15 14 8 
			 Sutton and Merton PCT 29 34 18 
			 Redbridge PCT 17 6 7 
			 Waltham Forest PCT 13 9 8 
			 Bexley Care Trust 19 14 16 
		
	
	Following reorganisation in 2006, SHAs were reduced from 28 to 10 and PCTs from 303 to 152. As a result data from 2006-07 onwards is not directly comparable with previous years. Data has been presented for those SHA/PCTs which have valid data for the breakdown presented here. As a result some SHA/PCTs may be missing from the list provided.
	
		
			  2004-05  to  2005-06 
			  SHA/PCT description  2005-06  2004-05 
			  Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA total 140 122 
			 Norwich PCT 13 6 
			 North Peterborough PCT 6 5 
			 South Peterborough PCT 6 9 
			 West Norfolk PCT 6 9 
			 Southern Norfolk PCT 20 11 
			 Huntingdonshire PCT * * 
			 Great Yarmouth PCT * * 
			 Cambridge City PCT * 7 
			 South Cambridgeshire PCT 13 10 
			 East Cambridgeshire and Fenland PCT 11 10 
			 Broadland PCT 8 6 
			 North Norfolk PCT * 8 
			 Ipswich PCT 10 * 
			 Suffolk Coastal PCT * 9 
			 Central Suffolk PCT 9 * 
			 Waveney PCT 11 * 
			 Suffolk West PCT 8 13 
			
			  Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SHA total 94 83 
			 Hertsmere PCT 7 * 
			 Luton PCT 12 8 
			 Bedford PCT * 7 
			 Bedfordshire Heartlands PCT 17 18 
			 Welwyn Hatfield PCT * * 
			 North Hertfordshire and Stevenage PCT 19 11 
			 South East Hertfordshire PCT * 13 
			 Royston, Buntingford and Bishop's Stortford PCT * 7 
			 Watford and Three Rivers PCT 14 * 
			 Dacorum PCT * 6 
			 St. Albans and Harpenden PCT 9 * 
			
			  Essex SHA Total 121 107 
			 Tendring PCT 12 6 
			 Epping Forest PCT 7 9 
			 Southend on Sea PCT 12 16 
			 Harlow PCT 7 7 
			 Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT 8 6 
			 Colchester PCT 15 10 
			 Uttlesford PCT * * 
			 Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford PCT * * 
			 Thurrock PCT * 6 
			 Basildon PCT 13 10 
			 Chelmsford PCT 11 6 
			 Castle Point and Rochford PCT 7 10 
			 Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust 15 12 
			
			  North West London SHA total 72 83 
			 Hillingdon PCT 19 26 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 6 11 
			 Ealing PCT 6 12 
			 Hounslow PCT 18 8 
			 Brent Teaching PCT 6 * 
			 Harrow PCT * 9 
			 Kensington and Chelsea PCT 9 7 
			 Westminster PCT * * 
			
			  North Central London SHA total 52 41 
			 Barnet PCT 6 12 
			 Enfield PCT 13 11 
			 Haringey Teaching PCT 10 * 
			 Camden PCT 15 * 
			 Islington PCT 8 9 
			
			  North East London SHA total 76 78 
			 Havering PCT * 18 
			 Barking and Dagenham PCT 13 12 
			 City and Hackney Teaching PCT 12 13 
			 Tower Hamlets PCT 13 9 
			 Newham PCT 13 8 
			 Redbridge PCT 10 6 
			 Waltham Forest PCT * 12 
			
			  South East London SHA total 55 63 
			 Bromley PCT 6 * 
			 Greenwich Teaching PCT 9 16 
			 Lambeth PCT 13 12 
			 Southwark PCT 9 * 
			 Lewisham PCT 6 11 
			 Bexley Care Trust 12 11 
			
			  South West London SHA total 70 55 
			 Kingston PCT 10 * 
			 Croydon PCT 17 * 
			 Wandsworth PCT 23 14 
			 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 6 11 
			 Sutton and Merton PCT 14 17 
			  Notes: 1. To protect patient confidentiality, figures between 1 and 5 have been replaced with * (an asterisk). Where it was still possible to identify numbers from the total an additional number (the next smallest) has been replaced. 2. This data only covers patients admitted as an in-patient. Accident and emergency attendances are not included as it is not possible to identify from the data provided those bitten or struck by a dog. 3. The data should not be described as a count of people as the same person may have been admitted on more than one occasion during the year. 4. A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 5. The SHA or PCT containing the patient's normal home address has been used in the data to provide this answer. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to another SHA or PCT area for treatment.  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics-The NHS Information Centre for health and social care

Health Visitors: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health visitors have been employed in  (a) the London borough of Bexley and  (b) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency in each year since 1997.

Ann Keen: Information is not held in the format required. The NHS Information Centre collects workforce data for national health service organisations and not for geographical areas. The following table shows the number of health visitors in the Bexley care trust as at 30 September each year since 2001. Bexley primary care trust was formed in 2001 and became Bexley care trust in 2004. It is not possible to accurately map workforce figures for this organisation prior to 2001.
	
		
			  National health service hospital and community health services: Health visitors in the Bexley primary care trust/Bexley care trust as at 30 September each year since 2001 
			   Headcount 
			 2001 52 
			 2002 50 
			 2003 50 
			 2004 50 
			 2005 55 
			 2006 53 
			 2007 52 
			 2008 59 
			  Source: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce Census

Health Visitors: East Sussex

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health visitors have been employed in the Sussex Downs and Weald Primary Care Trust area in each year since 1997.

Ann Keen: The information is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  National health service hospital and community health services: Health visitors in the East Sussex Downs and Weald primary care trust (PCT), as at 30 September each year 
			   Headcount 
			 2002 91 
			 2003 84 
			 2004 75 
			 2005 81 
			 2006 42 
			 2007 72 
			 2008 70 
			  Notes:  1. East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT was formed in October 2006 from a complete merger of Eastbourne Downs PCT and Sussex Downs and Weald PCT. Figures for 2002-06 are an aggregate of these predecessor organisations.  2. It is impossible to map PCT staff figures prior to the formation of the PCTs.  3. Data for 2009 will be released in March 2010.  4. It appears that figures supplied by Eastbourne Downs PCT failed to include around 30 health visitors for 2006.  5.  Data Quality Work force statistics are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and PCTs in England. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data. Processing methods and procedures are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where this happens any impact on figures already published will be assessed but unless this is significant at national level they will not be changed. Where there is impact only at detailed or local level this will be footnoted in relevant analyses.   Source:  The Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce census.

Health: Screening

Kevin Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms are in place to monitor the  (a) implementation of NHS health checks and  (b) expenditure of funds allocated for that purpose.

Ann Keen: The NHS Health Check programme is a Tier 3 Vital Sign in the NHS Operating Framework 2010-11. Consequently, strategic health authorities play a significant role in monitoring the roll-out of the programme locally. To support national understanding of the pace of implementation of the programme, data will be collected by the Department from 1 April 2010 on the number of people between the ages of 40 and 74 who have received an NHS Health Check. An NHS Health Check data set is also being developed which will enable the national health service to observe the progress of the programme in more detail.
	Funding for the programme is not ring-fenced and is provided as part of general primary care trust (PCT) allocations. Data on spend by PCTs on implementing the programme are not collected centrally.

Herbal Medicine: Regulation

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy is on the statutory regulation of herbal practitioners.

Ann Keen: The Department's policy on statutory regulation of any new profession takes into account balancing public safety with the risk involved; and the Government's principles of Better Regulation-that it should be transparent, accountable, proportionate, consistent and targeted only where action is needed.
	The Department has recently consulted on whether, and if so how, to regulate practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. The results of the consultation are currently being analysed and we expect a report to be submitted to Ministers in March 2010.

Influenza: Telephone Services

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people have had their symptoms assessed online by the National Pandemic Flu Service; and what proportion of such persons were allocated Tamiflu;
	(2)  what training is given to telephone operators at the National Pandemic Flu Service Hotline.

Gillian Merron: The National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) was launched on 23 July 2009.
	The technology to distinguish assessments by telephone from those online did not become available until 16 August 2009, so we only have access to data setting out the number of online assessments from this date.
	Cumulatively, from 16 August 2009 up to 2 February 2010, around 727,000 assessments were completed on-line using the NPFS and of these, around 476,000 were allocated (authorised) Tamiflu.
	Experienced call operators are trained for a minimum of three hours. Less experienced call operators receive a days training. This training is designed and provided by NHS Direct or by accredited trainers of the call centre providers. This is in addition to any training that call centre providers routinely provide for their agents.

Mesothelioma: South Yorkshire

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in  (a) Barnsley and  (b) Doncaster have been diagnosed with asbestos-related mesothelioma in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 5 February 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many patients in (a) Barnsley and (b) Doncaster have been diagnosed with asbestos-related mesothelioma in each of the last 10 years.
	The latest available figures for newly diagnosed cases of mesothelioma (incidence) are for the year 2007. Please note that these numbers may not be the same as the number of people diagnosed with cancer, because one person may be diagnosed with more than one cancer.
	The table attached provides the numbers of newly diagnosed cases of mesothelioma for (a) Barnsley metropolitan district and (b) Doncaster metropolitan district, for each year from 1998 to 2007.
	According to the Health  Safety Executive, nearly all mesothelioma cases are caused by exposure to asbestos. However, each year a small number of cases occur in people with no history of exposure. There is evidence to suggest that these 'spontaneous mesotheliomas' comprise up to 5 per cent of total cases. Further information can be found at:
	http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/mesothelioma/index.htm
	It is not possible to exclude spontaneous mesotheliomas from the figures provided.
	
		
			  Table 1. Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of mesothelioma( 1) , persons, (a) Barnsley metropolitan district and (b) Doncaster metropolitan district( 2) , 1998 to 2007( 3,4) 
			  Persons 
			   Barnsley  Doncaster 
			 1998 * 7 
			 1999 * 22 
			 2000 3 15 
			 2001 4 11 
			 2002 6 19 
			 2003 4 14 
			 2004 5 12 
			 2005 4 12 
			 2006 5 16 
			 2007 10 25 
			 (1) Mesothelioma is coded as C45 in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). (2) Based on boundaries as of 2009' (3) Newly diagnosed cases registered in each calendar year. (4) Small numbers have been suppressed, so that potentially identifiable information is not revealed. Suppressed numbers are indicated by the symbol '*'.

Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether there has been any dismissals of clinical staff from Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, for negligence in the last five years;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of scheduled appointments in outpatient departments at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton which did not start on time in the last 12 months;
	(3)  how many deaths resulting from complications during surgery there have been at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton in the last five years;
	(4)  how many cleaning staff are employed at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton; and what the average number of cleaning staff employed at NHS hospitals is;
	(5)  how many staff working at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton have responsibility for the enforcement of parking restrictions; and what the average number of such staff is at NHS hospitals;
	(6)  how many people have contracted Norovirus at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton in the last 12 months.

Mike O'Brien: The information requested is a matter for Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. We have written to Rosalinde Wyke, Chair of Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, informing her of the hon. Member's inquiry. She will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for a restorative dentistry procedure is at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.

Ann Keen: Information is not available in the format requested. Data do not exist specifically for restorative dentistry procedures as this term does not exist in the coding system used to record the operations, procedures and interventions carried out on patients. Reliable data at hospital level are not available. As such the following table shows the mean and median waiting time for first out-patient attendance for the restorative dentistry treatment speciality by Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, 2008-09.
	
		
			   Number/days 
			 Count of first attendances (number) 240 
			 Mean waiting time (days) 59 
			 Median waiting time (days) 51 
			  Notes: 1. Time waited statistics from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. Waiting times are usually only calculated for first attendances of patients referred by general practitioners and dentists. It is unclear whether the data collected have any relevance to subsequent attenders. Analysis of the data has revealed high (up to 100 per cent.) percentages of zero day waits for some providers suggesting poor data recording. For this reason '0' days waits have been excluded from the analysis. 2. First attendance: whether a patient is making a first attendance or a follow-up attendance and whether the consultation was face-to-face or via telephone/telemedicine consultation. The first attendance includes the first out-patient appointment and the first tele-consultation appointment. 3. Hospital provider: a provider code is a unique code that identifies an organisation acting as a health care provider (for example, national health service trust or primary care trust (PCT)). Hospital providers can also include treatment centres (TCs). Normally, if data are tabulated by healthcare provider, the figure for an NHS trust gives the activity of all the sites as one aggregated figure. However, in the case of those with embedded treatment centres, these data are quoted separately. In these cases, '-X' is appended to the code for the rest of the trust, to remind users that the figures are for all sites of the trust excluding the treatment centres. The quality of TC returns are such that data may not be complete. Some NHS trusts have not registered their TC as a separate site, and it is therefore not possible to identify their activity separately. Data from some independent sector providers, where the onus for arrangement of data flows is on the commissioner, may be missing. Care must be taken when using these data as the counts may be lower than true figures.  4. Data quality: HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and PCTs in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  Source: HES, The NHS Information Centre for health and social care.

Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for bariatric surgery is at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton.

Gillian Merron: The information is not available.

Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget is for the Somerset Research and Development Support Unit, based at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton for 2009-10.

Gillian Merron: The National Institute for Health Research, Research Design Service in the South West Strategic Health Authority (SHA) region has a budget of £1,042,282 in 2009-10. This new service started on 1 October 2008 and superseded the Somerset Research and Development Support Unit (RDSU) and other RDSUs in the South West SHA region.

National Treatment Agency: Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the reasons are for the reduction in the pooled treatment budget for Milton Keynes from the National Treatment Agency in 2010-11; and how much funding has been allocated to Milton Keynes from the National Treatment Agency over the next three years.

Gillian Merron: Until 2008-09 the Government's pooled treatment budget was allocated against a basket of indicators of social and economic deprivation known to reflect drug use as the best available proxy of treatment need. As a result of differences in performance between drug partnerships in getting people into treatment this funding formula was resulting in unjustifiable variations in the amount of the central contribution for each person's treatment.
	2010-11 is the third year of this process which seeks to produce a fairer allocation system which more accurately matches need, activity and resources.
	The new process is based on three elements:
	25 per cent. of the allocation is based on the indicators underpinning the previous formula to reflect the differential cost of responding to different levels of complex need such as homelessness, mental health, family breakdown and unemployment;
	75 per cent. is based on activity in the treatment system with areas being allocated a set amount per person treated effectively; and
	the final element is an area adjustment figure to reflect the varying costs of delivering services in different parts of the country.
	To promote an orderly alteration to service planning, the change is being introduced over three years with the annual maximum reduction set of 5 per cent. in 2008-09, 15 per cent. in 2009-10 and 30 per cent. in 2010-11.
	The illustrative amount for 2010-11 was £925,000 (published January 2008). However the actual allocation is dependent on the numbers in treatment relative to the total number in treatment across all areas. Milton Keynes allocation for 2010-11, will be notified shortly.
	No decisions have yet been taken on funding for the next two years.

NHS: Drugs

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what medicines appraisals have been undertaken and published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence since 6 May 2005; how many such appraisals resulted in  (a) recommendation,  (b) partial recommendation and  (c) medicine not being recommended; what (i) indication was appraised for each medicine and (ii) the estimated eligible patient population was for each such indication; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Information on the indication and recommendation for health technologies appraised by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence since May 2005 has been placed in the Library.
	Estimates of the annual eligible patient populations for each indication for each health technology are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

NHS: Drugs

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the effects of implementation of the National Prescribing Centre guidelines on processes for local decision-making about medicines;
	(2)  what guidance his Department provides to primary care trusts on the prescribing of licensed oncology treatments where the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has not yet made an appraisal decision.

Mike O'Brien: The National Prescribing Centre's good practice guidance, Supporting rational local decision-making about medicines (and treatments): A handbook of good practice guidance available at:
	www.npc.co.uk/policy/local/constitution_handbook.htm
	was reinforced by Directions which came into force on 1 April 2009. We have not made an assessment of primary care trust arrangements under the Directions.
	The Handbook gives guidance to primary care trusts on how to make decisions about drugs or treatments, in the absence of guidance from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). We have made it clear that the absence of NICE guidance is not in itself a reason to refuse funding for a treatment.

Nurses: Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in Milton Keynes employ a school nurse.

Ann Keen: Information is not held in the format requested. Information is available for the number of qualified nursing staff in the school nursing area of work directly employed by national health service organisations. The following table shows the number of qualified nursing staff in the school nursing area of work in Milton Keynes primary care trust (PCT).
	
		
			  NHS hospital and community health services: qualified nursing staff in the school nursing area of work as at 30 September 2008 
			   Number 
			 Milton Keynes PC 2 
			 N otes: 1. Qualified school nurses have a specific qualification in school nursing. 2. The NHS Hospital and Community Health Services non-medical workforce census is a large statistical exercise collecting over one million records from over 400 organisation. It is not, and is not intended to be, carried out to exact accounting standards.  Source:  The NHS Information Centre for health and social care non-medical workforce census.

Nurses: Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified nurses were employed in Milton Keynes in each year since 1997.

Ann Keen: The information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  National  health service  hospital and community health services: Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in Milton Keynes 
			  Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust (PCT)  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 All qualified nurses (including practice nurses) n/a n/a n/a n/a 446 471 465 496 535 516 545 506 
			 Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting n/a n/a n/a n/a 377 383 380 409 448 421 450 451 
			 General Practitioner (GP) Practice nurses n/a n/a n/a n/a 69 88 85 87 87 95 95 55 
			  Milton Keynes Community Health NHS Trust 
			 Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting 357 374 385 365 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  Milton Keynes General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 
			 Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting 573 606 671 804 818 829 824 1,009 875 908 765 832 
			 n/a = not applicable N otes: 1. Data as at 30 September each year for qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff. 2. Data for 2009 will be released in March 2010 on publication of the NHS Workforce Census (for data as at 30 September 2009). 3. GP Practice Nurse data as at 1 October 1997-1999 and 30 September 2000-2008. 4 Data is shown here by organisations in operation at the time. Prior to 2001 Milton Keynes PCT did not exist. 5. GP Practice Nurse Data prior to 2001 is not available in the Milton Keynes area due to the regional division of predecessor organisations 6. Data Quality: 
			 Workforce statistics are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and PCTs in England. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data. Processing methods and procedures are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where this happens any impact on figures already published will be assessed but unless this is significant at national level they will not be changed. Where there is impact only at detailed or local level this will be footnoted in relevant analyses.  Source: The Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce Census. The Information Centre for health and social care General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

Nurses: Schools

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in Essex employ a school nurse.

Vernon Coaker: I have been asked to reply.
	Information on school nurses is not available separately.
	The following table provides individual local authority maintained primary and secondary schools in Essex who employ full-time equivalent matrons, nurses and medical staff, January 2009.
	
		
			  Full-time equivalent (FTE) matrons, nurses and medical staff in service in local authority maintained primary and secondary schools. Year: January 2009. Coverage: Essex local authority 
			  School name  School type  FTE of matrons, nurses and medical staff 
			 Alton Park Junior School Community 0.8 
			 Leigh Beck Infant School and Nursery Community 1.9 
			 Spinney Infant School Community 1.0 
			 Limes Farm Infant School and Nursery Community 1.0 
			 Riverside Infant School Community 1.9 
			 Elmwood Primary School Foundation 0.8 
			 Great Totham Primary School Foundation 0.8 
			 Katherines Primary School Foundation 0.9 
			 Rolph C of E Primary School Voluntary aided 0.9 
			 Coppins Green Primary School Foundation 0.8 
			 Holland Park Primary School Foundation 0.8 
			 Hockley Primary School Foundation 0.4 
			 The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford Voluntary aided 0.1 
			 Moulsham High School and Humanities College Community 0.9 
			 Chalvedon School Foundation 1.0 
			 The King John School Foundation 1.2 
			 Saffron Walden County High School Foundation 0.9 
			 King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford Foundation 0.6 
			 The Boswells School Foundation 0.9 
			 The Appleton School Foundation 0.8 
			 The Fitzwimarc School Foundation 0.8 
			 The Deanes School Foundation 1.0 
			 Davenant Foundation School Voluntary aided 1.0 
			 William De Ferrers School Foundation 0.9 
			 Tendring Technology College Foundation 1.8 
			 Anglo European School Foundation 1.7 
			 Clacton County High School Foundation 0.8 
			 Colbayns High School Foundation 1.9 
			 Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form Centre Foundation 1.0 
			 Alderman Blaxill School Foundation 0.5 
			 St Benedict's Catholic College Voluntary aided 0.9 
			 The Billericay School Foundation 1.4 
			 Manningtree High School Foundation 0.5 
			  Source: School Census

Nutrition

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were recorded as having  (a) an admission and  (b) a discharge episode with a diagnosis of (i) malnutrition, (ii) nutritional anaemias and (iii) other nutritional deficiencies (A) in England and (B) per 100,000 admissions to each NHS trust in each year between 1997-98 and 2008-09.

Gillian Merron: This information has been placed in the Library.

Osteoporosis: Health Services

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue guidance to primary care trusts implementing local enhanced services on incentives for primary care health professionals to identify and treat men and women over the age of 50 with  (a) osteoporosis and  (b) a history of fragility fractures.

Mike O'Brien: We do not issue guidance on local enhanced services which are determined by primary care trusts to meet local needs and priorities. A national Directed Enhanced Service provides incentives for general practitioner practices to diagnose and treat women aged 65 and over who have sustained a fragility fracture on the basis that this group of patients is at greatest risk of osteoporosis. This Directed Enhanced Service, which was due to end on 31 March 2010, will continue into 2010-11 and updated guidance to support this will shortly be issued by NHS Employers.

Primary Care Trusts

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice and guidance his Department has given to primary care trusts on their future role as healthcare providers.

Mike O'Brien: NHS Next Stage Review: Our vision for primary and community care, (Department of Health July 2008) made a commitment to support the national health service in making local decisions on the governance and organisational models that best underpin the development of flexible, responsive community services. Enabling New Patterns of Provision (Department of Health, January 2009) set out best practice guidance for primary care trusts (PCTs) to support them to make decisions on the most appropriate organisational form or forms for delivery of their directly provided community services.
	The NHS Operating Framework 2010-11 (Department of Health, 16 December 2009) sets out that by March 2010 PCTs must have agreed with strategic health authorities proposals for the future organisational structure of all current PCT-provided community services. To support PCTs to meet this requirement, the Department has recently published further guidance confirming the range of options available and the approval, assurance and engagement processes.
	NHS Next Stage Review: Our vision for primary and community care, Enabling New Patterns of Provision the NHS Operating Framework 2010-11 and Transforming Community Services: The assurance and approvals process for PCT-provided community services have already been placed in the Library and are also available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/index.htm

Rickets

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to address trends in the incidence of cases of rickets, with particular reference to cases in children.

Gillian Merron: As a precautionary measure, the Department continues to raise awareness and recommends vitamin D supplementation for those at risk of vitamin D deficiency, which may develop into rickets. Those at risk include all pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children up to the age of five years. Although sporadic incidence of rickets are reported at present, the concern is more about the high proportion of people at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
	The recommendations are also available to health professionals, through mainstream communications including Healthy Start. The importance of Healthy Start vitamin supplements for women and children is reinforced by the Department, and work with the national health service and devolved administrations is ongoing to improve their uptake. For beneficiaries of the Healthy Start scheme, free vitamins for pregnant women and children (both containing vitamin D) are available free from the NHS without prescription.

Sandwell

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to the borough of Sandwell, the effects on that borough of changes to his Department's policies since 1997.

Gillian Merron: The Government have put in place a programme of national health service investment and reform since 1997 to improve service delivery in all parts of the United Kingdom. 93 per cent. of people nationally now rate the NHS as good or excellent. The NHS constitution contains 25 rights and 14 pledges for patients and the public including new rights to be treated within 18 weeks, or be seen by a cancer specialist within two weeks and an NHS health check every five years for those aged 40-74 years.
	There is significant evidence that these policies have yielded considerable benefits for the borough of Sandwell.
	For example:
	Figures for November 2009 show that in Sandwell Primary Care Trust (PCT):
	93 per cent. of patients whose treatment involved admission to hospital started their treatment within 18 weeks.
	98 per cent. of patients whose treatment did not involve admission to hospital started their treatment within 18 weeks.
	In September 2009, at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, 99 per cent. of patients spent less than four hours in accident and emergency from arrival to admission, transfer or discharge.
	Between September 2002 and September 2008 the number of consultants at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust has increased from 199 to 236. Between September 2002 and September 2008 the estimated number of nurses has increased from 2,072 to 2,127.
	Between September 2001 and September 2008 the number of general practitioners (GPs) per 100,000 within Sandwell PCT has increased from 57.3 to 61.9.
	93.4 per cent. of urgent general GP referrals to Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust with suspected cancer are seen by a specialist within two weeks of the referral.
	Sandwell PCT opened its GP-led health centre on 1 June 2009 in West Bromwich. The Malling Health Centre offers longer opening hours, meaning that any member of the public will be able to see a GP or nurse between 8 am and 8 pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
	There is one private finance initiative (PFI) scheme in the area that serves this constituency. Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust's £26 million Ambulatory Care Centre PFI scheme opened in November 2005.
	Although statistical information is not available at a local level, Sandwell will have also benefitted from national policies in other areas. For example:
	Since 1997, gross current expenditure on personal social services has increased by around 70 per cent. in real terms with around 105,000 households now receiving intensive home care and 3,076 new extra care housing units-exceeding the original target of 1,500 new extra care units.
	Other strategies currently being implemented are:
	Subject to parliamentary approval, the Personal Care at Home Bill will guarantee free personal care for 280,000 people with the highest needs and help around 130,000 people who need home care for the first time to regain their independence.
	Shaping the Future of Care Together Green Paper, published in July 2009, sets out a vision of a National Care Service for all adults in England which is fair, simple and affordable. The Department has consulted widely on this reform and is currently analysing the responses, which will feed into a White Paper later this year.
	The National Carer's Strategy-(Carers at the heart of 21st century families and communities)-launched in 2008,
	The first National Dementia Strategy was published in February 2009.
	Valuing People Now-a three year strategy for people with learning disabilities published in January 2009.
	New Horizons: A Shared Vision for Mental Health-launched in December 2009-to maintain improvements in mental health services combined with a new cross-Government approach to promoting public mental health.
	Since 1998, there are now 2.4 million fewer smokers in England as a result of the Government's comprehensive tobacco control strategy which has a measurable impact on reducing smoking prevalence.
	Child obesity levels are reducing due to the efforts of families across England, supported by the Government's obesity strategy. In 2008, 13.9 per cent. of children (aged two to 10) in England were classified as obese, compared with 17.3 per cent. in 2005.
	Overall, life expectancy at birth for men has increased from 74.5 years (1995-1997 data) to 77.7 years (2006-08 data) while for women, life expectancy at birth has increased from 79.6 years (1995-97 data) to 81.9 years (2006-08 data).

Sexual Offences: Young People

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish his Department's strategy for young people who sexually abuse; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The Department has consulted stakeholders on the development of a framework for service development for young people who display sexually harmful behaviour. We recognise the need to involve other Government Departments in this work and are working closely with the key relevant Departments, with the aim of publishing the document by summer 2010.

Social Security Benefits

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the devolved administrations on the effects of the new care and support system in the Shaping the Future of Care Together Green Paper on  (a) attendance allowance and  (b) disability living allowance.

Phil Hope: In the course of his ministerial duties, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues and Ministers in the devolved Administrations about a variety of matters, including the development of the new care and support system.

TREASURY

Banks: Finance

Michael Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much assistance in  (a) funds for recapitalisation and  (b) exposure to potential financial liability his Department provided to banks in the (i) first and (ii) second half of (A) 2007, (B) 2008 and (C) 2009; and how much such assistance of each type it had provided to banks on the latest date for which figures are available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: holding answer 8 February 2010
	I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 9 September 2009,  Official Report, column 1924W. In Annex B of PBR 2009, the Government set out updated estimates of the net fiscal cost of financial sector interventions.

Child Benefit: Northern Ireland

William McCrea: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many child benefit overpayments in Northern Ireland have been made consequent on the failure of claimants to notify the Tax Credit Office of a change of circumstances in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09; and what the monetary value was of such overpayments in each such year.

Stephen Timms: I refer to the answer given on 11 January 2010,  Official Report, column 763W to my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (John Battle).

Climate Change Levy

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of the proposed change to the Climate Change Levy discount arrangement on  (a) private sector investment in environmental technology and  (b) the number of manufacturing jobs.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The decision to reduce the Climate Change Levy discount available to Climate Change Agreement (CCA) participants was driven by the need to comply with European Union law and was informed by extensive macroeconomic and sectoral analysis to assess the consequences of the change.
	As a result of the change, industrial energy taxation in the UK will remain among the lowest in the European Union, while average operating costs across all CCA sectors will increase by only 0.03 per cent.

Climate Change Levy

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he had with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on the decision to change the Climate Change Levy discount arrangement threshold from 80 to 65 per cent.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Treasury Ministers and officials have discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.

Departmental Disclosure of Information

David Davis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether  (a) agencies and  (b) non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible sell information on a commercial basis to (i) companies or individuals in the private sector and (ii) other organisations.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Government Departments and agencies and non-departmental public bodies that have Crown status, make most of their information available for free re-use under the PSI Click-Use Licence. Government trading funds, such as Buying Solutions are able to charge for the services they provide in order to cover their costs. This covers information and its supply provided to other public bodies, commercial organisations and individuals. Neither HM Treasury nor any of its agencies sells information.

Departmental Sick Leave

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department have had five or more periods of sickness absence of less than five days in two or more of the last three years.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Twelve.

Financial Institutions: Shareholders

William Cash: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward legislative proposals to provide that all  (a) savers,  (b) borrowers and  (c) shareholders in UK banks and building societies have the same voting rights as those proposed in the mutual society to be formed from the Chelsea Building Society and the Yorkshire Building Society.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Building societies are owned by their customers, who have rights to vote on mergers under the Building Societies Act 1986. Banks, in contrast, are not owned by their customers, and the rights of shareholders to vote on mergers are determined in accordance with the articles of association of the banks concerned and company law.

Financial Services: EU Action

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the benefits for the UK financial services sector of proposals for EU regulation of that sector.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

John Mason: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many homeowners are in receipt of assistance from the Homeowner Mortgage Protection Scheme in Glasgow East constituency.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Homeowners Mortgage Support scheme was launched in April 2009. Management information on the scheme and equivalent forbearance schemes was released by the Department for Communities and Local Government on 9 December 2009. Figures can be accessed using the following link:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1408110
	Data are not collected at constituency level.

PAYE

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedures exist for a Pay-As-You-Earn taxpayer to obtain information from his Department on their annual tax calculation.

Stephen Timms: Pay As You Earn (PAYE) aims to collect the right amount of tax each year through the PAYE code. Customers are encouraged to use the information provided on HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) website at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/income/tax-codes.htm
	to help them understand their PAYE tax code. If customers have concerns or believe they are being wrongly taxed, they should contact their tax office, which will be able to make any appropriate adjustments.
	Information on how to find your tax office is available at:
	http://search2.hmrc.gov.uk/kbroker/hmrc/locator/locator.jsp?type=1.

Public Sector: Pay

Nick Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the Prime Minister's speech of 7 December 2009 on Smarter Government, whether the policy of requiring the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to approve public sector salaries over £150,000 and bonus payments of over £50,000 will apply to  (a) non-ministerial departments,  (b) public corporations,  (c) non-departmental public bodies and  (d) Network Rail; whether it will apply to civil servants already in post; and whether it will apply to appointments which are not subject to Ministerial approval.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) on 28 January 2010,  Official Report, column 1067W.

Revenue and Customs

William McCrea: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for how long HM Revenue and Customs retains copies of tax returns.

Stephen Timms: I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 11 January 2010,  Official Report, column 744W.

Revenue and Customs: Rural Areas

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps HM Revenue and Customs is taking to ensure that its services are available in person to people living in rural areas.

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs took of the disability equality duty of public authorities under Section 49A of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in its programme of closures of public enquiry centres.

Stephen Timms: I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 14 December 2009,  Official Report, column 855W. An equality impact assessment of changes to enquiry centre opening hours will be published prior to any changes being made.

Strategic Investment Fund

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to the public purse has been of providing the additional funds to the Strategic Investment Fund announced in the 2009 Pre-Budget Report; and how much funding has been allocated to the Strategic Investment Fund since its inception.

Stephen Timms: The cost to the public purse of the £200 million uplift to the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) announced in the 2009 Pre-Budget Report was £100 million, consisting of:
	£100 million of new funding provided to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills for the SIF; and
	£100 million was allocated to the SIF from departmental re-prioritization.
	£950 million has been allocated to the SIF since its inception.

Taxation: Gaming Machines

Mark Todd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the responses received to his Department's consultation on the taxation of gaming machines.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: HM Treasury's formal consultation on the taxation of gaming machines concluded on 23 October 2009.
	In line with the Government's code of practice on consultation, the responses are being analysed carefully and, in due course, a summary of responses will be published.

Welfare Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of in-work  (a) lone parents and  (b) couple parents claiming working tax credit with (i) one child, (ii) two children and (iii) three children have gross annual incomes for the purpose of calculating their awards of (A) less than £10,000, (B) between £10,000 and £20,000, (C) between £20,000 and £30,000, (D) between £30,000 and £40,000, (E) between £40,000 and £50,000 and (F) over £50,000; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is provided in the following tables.
	
		
			  Number of in-work families benefiting from tax credits, December 2009 (thousands) 
			  Thousand 
			   Range of income used to taper award 
			  In-work families  Up to £9,999  £10,000 to £19,999  £20,000 to £29,999  £30,000 to £39,999  £40,000 to £50,000  Over £50,000 
			  Single parent:   
			 One child 355.2 222.8 87.7 29.2 6.8 1.5 
			 Two children 214.5 103.9 35.1 13.9 3.3 0.7 
			 Three or more children 76.4 23.6 7.5 2.3 0.7 0.2 
			
			  Couple:   
			 One child 119.3 213.4 328.7 359.7 186.0 63.7 
			 Two children 132.0 216.1 260.0 377.8 187.7 69.1 
			 Three or more children 120.2 119.9 101.0 86.2 55.6 18.4 
			 Total 1,017.8 899.8 820.0 869.1 440.1 153.5 
		
	
	
		
			  Proportion of in-work families benefiting from tax credits, December 2009 
			  Percentage 
			   Range of income used to taper award 
			  In -work families  Up to £9,999  £10,000 to £19,999  £20,000 to £29,999  £30,000 to £39,999  £40,000 to £50,000  Over £50,000 
			  Single parent :   
			 One child 51 32 12 4 1 0 
			 Two children 58 28 9 4 1 0 
			 Three or more children 69 21 7 2 1 0 
			
			  Couple:   
			 One child 9 17 26 28 15 5 
			 Two children 11 17 21 30 15 6 
			 Three or more children 24 24 20 17 11 4

Welfare Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much and what proportion of  (a) working tax credit,  (b) child tax credit and  (c) total tax credit expenditure is paid to families with annual incomes of less than (i) £20,000, (ii) £30,000, (iii) £40,000 and (iv) £50,000; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is provided in the following tables:
	
		
			  Amount and proportion of working tax credit( 1)  (WFC) entitlement by income, 2007-08 
			  Income used to calculate award  WTC entitlement (£ million)  Proportion of WTC entitlement (percentage) 
			 Up to £19,999 5,783 98 
			 £20,000 to £29,999 117 2 
			 £30,000 to £39,999 14 0 
			 £40,000 to £49,999 1 0 
			 £50,000 or more 0 0 
			 Total 5,915 100 
			 (1) This includes any entitlement to the child care element. 
		
	
	
		
			  Amount and proportion of child tax credit (CTC) entitlement by income, 2007-08 
			  Income used to calculate award  CTC entitlement (£ million)  Proportion of WTC entitlement (percentage) 
			 Up to £19,999 13,311 85 
			 £20,000 to £29,999 1,446 9 
			 £30,000 to £39,999 620 4 
			 £40,000 to £49,999 256 2 
			 £50,000 or more 47 0 
			 Total 15,679 100 
		
	
	
		
			  Amount and proportion of all tax credit entitlement by income, 2007-08 
			  Income used to calculate award  Total tax credit entitlement (£ million)  Proportion of total entitlement (percentage) 
			 Up to £19,999 19,095 88 
			 £20,000 to £29,999 1,563 7 
			 £30,000 to 39,999 633 3 
			 £40,000 to £49,999 257 1 
			 £50,000 or more 47 0 
			 Total 21,595 100

Welfare Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of out of work  (a) lone parents and  (b) couple parents are receiving child tax credit equivalent to the family element or less.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs estimate that at 1 December 2009 there were:
	1083,900 out of work lone parents receiving child tax credit, of which 3,300 (0.3 per cent.) were receiving the family element or less; and
	378,800 out of work couple parents receiving child tax credit, of which 17,200 (4.5 [per cent.) were receiving the family element or less.

Welfare Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of couples with children receiving  (a) child tax credit only and  (b) both working tax credit and child tax credit have more than one adult in full-time work.

Stephen Timms: At December 2009 there were 580,000 couples with children who both worked full-time and were receiving child tax credit only. This is approximately 14 per cent. of all in-work couples receiving child tax credit only.
	There were also 75,000 couples with children who both worked full-time and were receiving working tax credit and child tax credit. This is approximately 4 per cent. of all couples receiving both child tax credit and working tax credit.

Welfare Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) mean and  (b) median gross income is of (i) in work and (ii) out of work (A) lone parents and (B) couple parents claiming tax credits with (1) one, (2) two, (3) three, (4) four, (5) five and (6) six or more children in the family; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Mean and median income used to calculate awards at December 2009 
			  £ 
			   Income used to calculate award( 1) 
			   Out of work( 2)  In work( 2) 
			   Mean  Median  Mean  Median 
			  Single parent 
			 One child 2,130 0 12,200 9,870 
			 Two children 1,710 0 11,050 8,500 
			 Three children 1,320 0 9,380 7,000 
			 Four children 1,050 0 8,030 5,830 
			 Five children 930 0 7,160 5,010 
			 Six or more children 690 0 6,340 4,410 
			  
			  Couple 
			 One child 7,730 4,500 28,680 29,340 
			 Two children 7,740 4,410 28,700 30,190 
			 Three children 5,990 3,250 24,360 23,070 
			 Four children 4,620 2,570 19,400 16,270 
			 Five children 3,920 2,150 15,570 11,900 
			 Six or more children 3,090 200 12,840 8,110 
			 (1) This is the gross family income which is used for the purpose of calculating the tax credit award in 2009-10.  (2) Out of work families are those where claimants are not working, or working less than 16 hours per week. In-work families contain at least one claimant working 16 or more hours per week.

Welfare Tax Credits: Northern Ireland

William McCrea: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the number of tax credit claimants in Northern Ireland who do not renew their claims.

Stephen Timms: In 2007-08 approximately 4,500 awards in Northern Ireland were terminated due to non-renewal.

Welfare Tax Credits: Northern Ireland

William McCrea: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests were received for emergency payments of tax credits in Northern Ireland in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available, as HM Revenue and Customs does not record the reason for issuing a manual payment of tax credits at a local enquiry centre.

JUSTICE

Re-registration: Overseas Voters

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will assess the merits of ending the requirement on overseas voters to re-register every year.

Michael Wills: Overseas electors (except service voters) are subject to the same requirements as those in the UK in that they are required each year to confirm where they are resident and ensure that relevant election documents are despatched to the correct address whenever an election is held. Changing that requirement could damage the integrity of the electoral register.

Drug Use: Prisons

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Blakey review on disrupting the supply of illegal drugs in prisons.

Maria Eagle: We have made good progress in implementing David Blakey's recommendations, including:
	providing all prisons with a Body Orifice Security Scanner (BOSS chair) and hand held metal detectors;
	having a senior manager responsible for co-ordinating delivery of the local drug strategy at every prison;
	publishing a revised good practice guide to assist prisons in tackling drug supply routes;
	progressed work on blocking mobile phones in prisons, albeit that this has proved a very complex area;
	strengthening our relationship with Home Office Scientific Development Branch; and
	working more closely with law enforcement agencies.

Burglary Sentences

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent representations he has received on sentencing guidelines in respect of burglary offences.

Claire Ward: Sentencing guidelines are published by the independent Sentencing Guidelines Council, not by the Government. In December 2008, the Sentencing Guidelines Council published a definitive guideline on theft and burglary in a building other than a dwelling. It is anticipated that the Sentencing Advisory Panel will produce its advice on sentencing for burglary in a home in spring this year.

Legal Aid: Asylum Seekers

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will extend eligibility for legal aid to asylum seekers seeking to appeal against the withdrawal of support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and section 21 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 2006.

Bridget Prentice: Legal aid is available for eligible people to obtain help and advice in respect of such an appeal. The Government do not believe it is necessary to extend public funding to representation. Doing so would be disproportionate to the complexity of the issues and evidence under consideration.

Prison Transfer Agreements

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects the prisoner transfer agreements with Jamaica, Nigeria and Rwanda to be completed and ratified.

Maria Eagle: Prisoner transfer agreements with Jamaica and Rwanda have been agreed. The Agreement with Jamaica was signed in 2007. The Agreement with Rwanda will be signed shortly. Both Agreements are subject to ratification procedures before they can be brought into force. In the case of Jamaica changes to legislation are also necessary. It is not possible to say when either country will complete their procedures.
	Negotiation of a compulsory prisoner transfer agreement with Nigeria cannot be completed until Nigerian prisoner transfer legislation is amended. A Bill for this purpose is currently before the Nigerian National Assembly. I cannot therefore say when negotiations will be completed.

Solicitors: Payments

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent discussions he has had with the Legal Services Commission on their payments to solicitors in 2008-09.

Bridget Prentice: Meetings are held regularly with the Legal Services Commission at which a wide range of issues are discussed. One of the key current items on the agenda is the PAC report, which we welcome.

Custodial Sentences: Single Parents

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent consideration he has given to the effect on dependent children of custodial sentences for single parents.

Claire Ward: We are working very closely with the Department of Children, Schools and Families to meet the needs of this vulnerable group of children. We have published a cross government Framework which aims to improve multi agency support and have a significant programme of work in hand to explore how agencies can work together to identify, assess and support the needs of children of offenders.

Information Commissioner's Office: Finance

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of funding of the Information Commissioner's Office.

Michael Wills: The Information Commissioner's Office is funded by a combination of grant in aid from the Ministry of Justice to pay for the Office's freedom of information work and notification fees paid directly to the Office by data controllers (and retained by the Office with HM Treasury's consent) to fund its data protection work.
	The Ministry of Justice and the Information Commissioner's Office regularly review funding arrangements. The Government introduced tiered notification fees in October 2009 to increase funding to pay for the Commissioner's proposed new statutory data protection responsibilities. The Ministry of Justice has given the Information Commissioner's Office additional grant in aid for its freedom of information responsibilities over and above its original baseline for this financial year and the previous four.
	The level of grant in aid funding for freedom of information in the next financial year is currently under discussion.

Chorley

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will set out, with statistical information as closely related to Chorley constituency as possible, the effect on that constituency of the policies of his Department and its predecessor since 1997.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice's work spans criminal, civil and family justice, democracy, rights and the constitution. Every year around nine million people use our services in 900 locations across the United Kingdom, including 650 courts and tribunals and 139 prisons in England and Wales.
	The range of the Department's policies and actions is wide and the statistical information relating to it is not normally collected on a constituency basis. Consequently, some of the information requested in the question cannot be provided in the form requested except at a disproportionate cost.
	Although data on sentencing for the period is not available for the constituency of Chorley, it is available for Lancashire. This shows a decrease in the total number of offenders sentenced annually from 49,243 in 1997 to 44,666 in 2008, the latest period for which such information is available.
	The number of offences brought to justice for the Lancashire area increased from 29,336 for the 12 months ending 31 March 2001 (the earliest period since which such data have been compiled) to 42,707 (provisional figures) for the 12 months ending 31 March 2009.
	With regard to prosecutions, data are not available for the constituency of Chorley. However, the total number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts in Lancashire was 70,784 in 1997 compared to 55,827 in 2008.
	The latest data, which cover reoffending in the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009, showed that the three-month reoffending rate for offenders on the probation caseload in Lancashire was 11.96 per cent. After controlling for changes in the characteristics of offenders on the probation caseload, there was a rise in reoffending of 6.90 per cent. compared to the 2007-08 baseline. Data are not available prior to 2007 on this basis.
	The number of persons commencing court order supervision by the Probation Service in Lancashire was 4,022 in 1997 and 6,866 in 2008.
	29,678 civil non-family proceedings were started in the county courts of Cumbria and Lancashire HMCS area in 2008, compared to 42,686 in 1998, the first year for which these figures are available. There were also 3,679 private law applications and 262 public law applications made in the county or High Courts of this HMCS area in 2008-09, compared to 2,817 and 211 respectively in 2003-04, the first annual period for which these figures are available.
	In addition, at a national level:
	Local communities are being better engaged in criminal justice-by giving them a say in the types of Community Payback projects offenders carry out and allowing them to see justice being done, for example through the use of high visibility jackets. Offenders have now worked more than 14 million hours, with an estimated value to the taxpayer of over £80 million.
	Major constitutional reforms have been delivered, including devolution, the Human Rights Act, Freedom of Information, Lords Reform, and a new Supreme Court for the UK.

Convictions

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have been convicted of  (a) domestic burglary and  (b) drug offences in (i) the London borough of Bexley and (ii) Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency in each year since 2005.

Claire Ward: The number persons convicted of domestic burglary and drug offences in Greater London in each year between 2005 and 2008 is shown in the following table.
	Court proceedings data are not available below Criminal Justice System area level. Data for 2009 are expected to be published in the autumn 2010.
	
		
			  The number of persons found guilty of burglary offences and drug offences in the Greater London police force area, 2005-08( 1) , ( 2) 
			  Persons 
			 Offence  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Domestic burglary 1,735 1,686 1,843 1,822 
			 Drugs related 8,169 8,968 10,161 12,345 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source:  Office for Criminal Justice Reform-Ministry of Justice Our ref: PQ 315903

Crimes of Violence: Cautions

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many of those convicted of offences of violence in the last three years had been issued with at least one caution.

Claire Ward: Figures for offenders sentenced for violence against the person who had previously been issued with a caution for any offence are shown in the following table.
	These figures represent a further breakdown of the statistics in Table 6.5 of 'Sentencing Statistics 2008' which was published on 28 January 2010 and can be found at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/sentencingannual.htm
	Figures are for both adults and juveniles
	The figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system, the police national computer, which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police.
	
		
			  Sentences given for an offence of violence against the person( 1) , and number of sentences when the offender had previously received a caution, 2006-08, England and Wales 
			With at least one caution previously( 2) 
			   Number of sentences for an offence of violence against the person  Number of sentencing occasions  Percentage of total 
			 2006 48,837 27,454 56.2 
			 2007 49,329 29,929 60.7 
			 2008 49,754 30,757 61.8 
			 (1) The figures are a count of primary offences only. Offenders sentenced on more than one occasion during this period will be represented in table on each occasion. (2) At the time of sentence the offender has at least one record on the police national computer of a reprimand, warning or caution for an offence of any kind.

Departmental Manpower

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the proportion of staff of  (a) his Department and its predecessors and  (b) its agencies managed out in the last five years who remain working in the public sector.

Michael Wills: Information on the destination of staff who leave the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is not recorded centrally as there is no requirement to collect this information. To obtain this information we would need to contact all relevant staff to find out where they are now working, this could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Driving Offences

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people in the Sussex police force area and England were disqualified from driving as a result of  (a) drink driving,  (b) speeding and  (c) dangerous or careless driving in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2008.

Claire Ward: The number persons disqualified from driving as a result of convictions for  (a) drink driving,  (b) speeding and  (c) dangerous or careless driving in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2008 at all courts in the Sussex police force area and in England for 1997 and 2008 are shown in the following tables 1 and 2.
	Court proceedings data are not available at parliamentary constituency level. Data for 2009 are expected to be published in the autumn of 2010.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of disqualifications imposed at all courts in Sussex for selected motoring offences, from 1997 and 2008( 1, 2, 3) 
			  Number of offences 
			  Offence type  1997  2008 
			 Dangerous driving 68 66 
			 Driving etc., after consuming alcohol or taking drugs 2,254 2,121 
			 Careless driving 48 52 
			 Speed limit offences 261 125 
			 Total 2,631 2,364 
			 (1) It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3 )Previously issued data have been revised.  Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of disqualifications imposed at all courts in England, for selected motoring offences, from 1998 to 2007( 1, 2, 3,)( 4) 
			  Number of offences 
			  Offence type  1997  2008 
			 Dangerous driving 4,803 4,150 
			 Driving etc., after consuming alcohol or taking drugs 87,153 70,179 
			 Careless driving 1,435 1,770 
			 Speed limit offences 9,427 6,502 
			 Total 102,818 82,601 
			 (1) It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3 )Figures given include revised figures for Sussex police force area. (4) Excludes convictions for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008.  Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice.

Driving Offences: West Yorkshire

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were convicted of causing death by dangerous driving in the West Yorkshire police force area in 2008.

Claire Ward: During 2008, a total of 13 people were convicted of causing death by dangerous driving at all courts in the West Yorkshire police force area.
	The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

Land Registry: Gloucester

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent representations he has received on the effects of the Land Registry's accelerated transformation programme on its Gloucester office.

Michael Wills: Land Registry published their Accelerated Transformation Proposals on 22 October 2009. Under the current proposals, Land Registry would retain an office in Gloucester.
	A public consultation on the proposals ended on 29 January. Land Registry have received letters from local MPs and constituents in Gloucester and the surrounding area regarding these proposals. All contributions are now being considered and Land Registry currently plans to announce final decisions and publish a full responses document in March.

Legal Aid

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he next expects to meet the Chief Executive of the Legal Services Commission to discuss the Commission's work in procurement of legal aid in England and Wales.

Bridget Prentice: Meetings are held regularly with the Legal Services Commission at which a wide range of issues are discussed. One of the key current items on the agenda is the PAC report, which we welcome.

Members: Correspondence

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he plans to respond to the Office of the Judicial Ombudsman with his comments on the representations made to that office by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Yardley on 8 December 2009.

Jack Straw: The Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman determined a complaint dated 2 April 2009 from the hon. Member. In compliance with statute, he sent his draft report about that complaint to me and to the Lord Chief Justice on 8 December 2009. Officials commented on my behalf on 26 January 2010 and the final report was issued, by the ombudsman, on 28 January 2010.

Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to North East Milton Keynes constituency, the effects on Milton Keynes of the policies and actions of his Department and its predecessors since 1997.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice's work spans criminal, civil and family justice, democracy, rights and the constitution. Every year around 9 million people use our services in 900 locations across the United Kingdom, including 650 courts and tribunals and 139 prisons in England and Wales.
	The range of the Department's policies and actions is wide and the statistical information relating to it is not normally collected on a constituency basis. Consequently, some of the information requested in the question cannot be provided in the form requested except at a disproportionate cost.
	Although data on sentencing for the period is not available for the constituency of North-East Milton Keynes, it is available for the Thames Valley. This shows the total number of offenders sentenced annually was 38,701 in 1997 and 38,306 in 2008, the latest period for which such information is available.
	The number of offences brought to justice for the Thames Valley area increased from 29,877 for the 12 months ending 31 March 2001 (the earliest period since which such data has been compiled) to 48,465 (provisional figures) for the 12 months ending 31 March 2009.
	With regard to prosecutions, data is not available for the constituency of North-East Milton Keynes. However, the total number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts in the Thames Valley was 53,716 in 1997 compared to 47,425 in 2008.
	The latest data, which covers reoffending in the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009, showed that the three month reoffending rate for offenders on the probation case load in Milton Keynes was 9.48 per cent. After controlling for changes in the characteristics of offenders on the probation case load, there was an increase in reoffending of 2.99 per cent. compared to the 2007-08 baseline. Data is not available prior to 2007 on this basis.
	The number of persons commencing court order supervision by the probation service in the Thames Valley was 3,716 in 1997and 5,256 in 2008.
	44,212 civil non-family proceedings were started in the county courts of Thames Valley HMCS area in 2008, compared to 67,187 respectively in 1998, the first year for which these figures are available. There were also 3,573 private law applications and 218 public law applications made in the county or High Courts of this HMCS area in 2008-09, compared to 3,422 and 282 respectively in 2003-04, the first annual period for which these figures are available.
	In addition, at a national level:
	Local communities are being better engaged in criminal justice-by giving them a say in the types of Community Payback projects offenders carry out and allowing them to see justice being done, for example through the use of high visibility jackets. Offenders have now worked more than 14 million hours, with an estimated value to the taxpayer of over £80 million.
	Major constitutional reforms have been delivered, including devolution, the Human Rights Act, Freedom of Information, Lords Reform, and a new Supreme Court for the UK.

Operation Black Vote

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent meetings he has had with representatives of Operation Black Vote.

Bridget Prentice: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor (Mr. Straw) last met with members of Operation Black Vote on 2 June 2008 when he gave a speech at the Operation Black Vote Magistrates' Shadowing Scheme Graduation. In addition, I spoke at an Operation Black Vote organised event on 20 January 2010 to celebrate the appointment of the 50th graduate of the Magistrates' Shadowing Scheme to be appointed to the magistracy.

Prison Sentences

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many people received an indeterminate sentence for public protection with a tariff of 23 months or less under the new exceptional circumstances legislation  (a) between 14 July and 31 December 2008 and  (b) in 2009;
	(2)  how many prisoners serving an indeterminate sentence for public protection are two years or more past the expiry of their tariff date;
	(3)  how many prisoners serving an indeterminate sentence for public protection had a tariff of 23 months or less before July 2008 and are now in an open prison;
	(4)  how many prisoners serving an indeterminate sentence for public protection are in an open prison;
	(5)  how many people received an indeterminate sentence for public protection with a tariff of two years in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006,  (c) 2007,  (d) the period 1 July to 14 January 2008,  (e) the period 14 July to 31 December 2008 and  (f) 2009.

Maria Eagle: Table 1 as follows shows the number of offenders who have received an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for public protection (IPP), if they are over 18 years of age, or a detention for public protection (DPP), if they are under 18 years of age, with a tariff of two years or less, as calculated from date of sentence to the date of tariff expiry, for the period up to 31 December 2009.
	The following table is broken down by year, except for 2008 which is further broken down up to and at 14 July 2008 and after 14 July 2008. The figures shown are as notified to the National Offender Management Service at 5 February 2010.
	
		
			  Table: 1 
			  Year of sentence  Number sentenced (with a tariff of  2 years or less 
			 2005 215 
			 2006 550 
			 2007 563 
			 1 January 2008-14 July 2008 290 
			 15 July 2010-31 December 2008 78 
			 2009 158 
			 Total 1854 
		
	
	These figures include those sentenced to an IPP who subsequently had their sentence quashed or died. These figures are drawn from a total of 6047 cases recorded over this period. A further 17 cases over this period are still awaiting the courts setting a tariff.
	From 14 July 2008 the provisions in the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 took effect, in that an IPP may not be passed where the minimum tariff is less than two years, except where offenders have been convicted of very serious crimes in the past, as specified in Schedule 15A of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.
	As at 5 February 2010, the number of prisoners in custody, serving an IPP or a DPP, and who are recorded by the National Offender Management Service as being two years or more past the expiry of their tariff was 476. This figure includes IPP prisoners who have been released and subsequently recalled.
	As at 5 February 2010, there were 197 prisoners serving either an IPP or DPP and who are in open conditions.
	Of these, 118 have a tariff of two years or less, as calculated from date of sentence to the date of tariff expiry.
	These figures include those prisoners being held within the juvenile and female estates.
	The figures to answer each question were taken from the Public Protection Unit Database (PPUD) in the National Offender Management Service, and, as with any large scale recording system, it is subject to possible errors arising from either data entry or processing. The PPUD is a live database, updated on a regular basis. As a result, snapshots taken in consecutive days will contain differences reflecting updates.

Pyramid Selling

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prosecutions for breaches of the prohibition on chain gifting under section 43 of the Gambling Act 2005 there have been since the entry into force of that provision.

Claire Ward: Section 43 of the Gambling Act (chain gifting) came into force on 1 September 2007. Up to 31 December 2008 (latest currently available) no prosecutions for offences under this section of the Gambling Act have been reported to the Ministry of Justice.
	Data for 2009 are planned for publication at the end of January 2010.

Robbery: Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people in each age group in Milton Keynes were convicted of robbery in each year since 1997.

Claire Ward: Information showing the number of persons found guilty of robbery in the Thames Valley Criminal Justice System area, broken down by age group, from 1997 to 2008 (latest available) is shown in the table.
	Court proceedings data are not available below Criminal Justice System area level. Data for 2009 are expected to be published in the autumn 2010.
	
		
			  Number of persons found guilty at all courts for robbery offences in the Thames Valley Criminal Justice System area, by age group, from 1997 to 2008( 1,2) 
			  Number of offenders 
			  Type of offence  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			  Robbery offences 
			  Persons 
			 10 to 11 - - - 1 2 3 3 - 1 1 - - 
			 12 to 14 6 7 9 10 10 19 10 8 13 7 14 14 
			 15 to 17 51 28 27 40 43 72 49 50 46 64 59 80 
			 18 to 20 49 52 34 30 48 65 51 48 65 47 67 52 
			 21 and over 52 34 36 57 84 114 99 89 78 70 74 96 
			 Total 158 121 106 138 187 273 212 195 203 189 214 242 
			 (1) The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice

Thanet

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will set out, with statistical information related as directly as possible to South Thanet constituency, the effects on South Thanet of the policies and actions of his Department since it was established.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice's work spans criminal, civil and family justice, democracy, rights and the constitution. Every year around nine million people use our services in 900 locations across the United Kingdom, including 650 courts and tribunals and 139 prisons in England and Wales.
	The range of the Department's policies and actions is wide and the statistical information relating to it is not normally collected on a constituency basis. Consequently, some of the information requested in the question cannot be provided in the form requested except at a disproportionate cost.
	Although data on sentencing for the period are not available for the constituency of South Thanet, it is available for Kent. This shows an increase in the total number of offenders sentenced annually from 26,321 in 1997 to 34,385 in 2008, the latest period for which such information is available.
	The number of offences brought to justice for the Kent area increased from 26,685 for the 12 months ending 31 March 2001 (the earliest period since which such data have been compiled) to 40,846 (provisional figures) for the 12 months ending 31 March 2009.
	With regard to prosecutions, data are not available for the constituency of South Thanet. However, the total number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts in Kent increased from 32,160 in 1997 to 41,425 in 2008.
	The latest data, which cover reoffending in the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009, showed that the three-month reoffending rate for offenders on the probation caseload in the Kent county council area was 8.79 per cent. After controlling for changes in the characteristics of offenders on the probation caseload, there was an increase in reoffending of 9 per cent. compared to the 2007-08 baseline. Data are not available prior to 2007 on this basis.
	The number of persons commencing court order supervision by the Probation Service in Kent was 3,324 in 1997and 4,633 in 2008.
	33,059 civil non-family proceedings were started in the county courts of Kent HMCS area in 2008, compared to 42,319 in 1998, the first year for which these figures are available. There were also 3,082 private law applications and 105 public law applications made in the county or High Courts of this HMCS area in 2008-09, compared to 2,635 and 238 respectively in 2003-04, the first annual period for which these figures are available.
	In addition, at a national level:
	Local communities are being better engaged in criminal justice-by giving them a say in the types of Community Payback projects offenders carry out and allowing them to see justice being done, for example through the use of high visibility jackets. Offenders have now worked more than 14 million hours, with an estimated value to the taxpayer of over £80 million.
	Major constitutional reforms have been delivered, including devolution, the Human Rights Act, Freedom of Information, Lords Reform, and a new Supreme Court for the UK.

Theft: Milton Keynes

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people resident in Milton Keynes were convicted of an offence of  (a) handling stolen goods and  (b) fraud and forgery in each year since 1997.

Claire Ward: Information showing the number of persons found guilty of  (a) handling stolen goods and  (b) fraud and forgery in each year between 1997 and 2008 (latest available) in the Thames Valley Criminal Justice System area, broken down by age group, from 1997 to 2008 (latest available) is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Number of persons found guilty at all courts in the Thames Valley Criminal Justice System area for offences of handling stolen goods and fraud and forgery, by age group, from 1997 to 2008( 1, 2) 
			  Number of offenders 
			  Type of offence:  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			  Handling stolen goods 
			 Persons 
			 10 to 11 - - - - - - - - 1 - - - 
			 12 to 14 8 8 8 17 10 17 8 5 8 9 8 4 
			 15 to 17 43 60 76 65 71 72 44 39 49 35 35 33 
			 18 to 20 110 105 103 116 83 82 57 51 42 50 44 42 
			 21 and over 314 330 311 249 247 286 259 199 212 169 178 170 
			 Total 475 503 498 447 411 457 368 294 312 263 265 249 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of offenders 
			  Type of offence:  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Fraud and forgery 
			 Persons 
			 10 to 11 - - - - - - - - 1 - - - 
			 12 to 14 2 1 2 1 - 6 3 2 3 - 8 - 
			 15 to 17 16 28 18 19 30 15 24 24 17 16 22 10 
			 18 to 20 75 72 75 66 61 64 61 56 67 46 48 49 
			 21 and over 326 337 355 391 411 395 437 420 496 578 544 554 
			 Total 419 438 450 477 502 480 525 502 584 640 622 613 
			 (1) The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice.

Tribunals

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many industrial tribunal cases are outstanding.

Bridget Prentice: At the end of December 2009, there were 387,800 live claims in Employment Tribunals across England, Wales and Scotland.

Young Offenders: Custodial Treatment

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many young adults were in the criminal justice system in  (a) Coventry and  (b) England in each year since 1997.

Claire Ward: It is not possible to identify and track individual contacts with the system from the data returned to the Ministry. Collecting and analysing data to answer this question would involve disproportionate cost.

Young Offenders: Custodial Treatment

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent steps his Department has taken to improve support for young adults in the criminal justice system.

Maria Eagle: The National Offender Management Service provides offenders with the opportunity to learn the skills they need to get a job on release or while serving their sentence. Employment is known to be a key factor in helping to reduce re-offending. Our aim therefore is to provide more offenders with the skills and motivation to turn away from crime, improve their employability, and become productive members of society.
	Steps being taken to achieve this include:
	an integrated Offenders Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) for offenders, planned and funded by the Learning and Skills Council which provides learning and skills opportunities for offenders in custody and for those serving their sentence in the community;
	a new OLASS provision for those in custody with significant changes; including the introduction of a core curriculum available in each prison establishment in England;
	working with Sector Skills Councils to ensure that learning and skills training and accredited qualifications are relevant to employers and reflect identified labour market shortages and need;
	increasingly looking at making the work undertaken within prisons by prisoners as much like real work as possible; and
	working with the private sector in partnership to develop employment and skills opportunities for offenders.
	The Government's investment in education provision for offenders has risen threefold from £57 million in 2001-02 to more than £175 million in 2009-10.

Young Offenders: Rehabilitation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department spent on rehabilitation programmes for young people in the criminal justice system in the latest period for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: All services commissioned or delivered by youth offending teams (YOTs) to young people within the criminal justice system are intended to rehabilitate them and address the causes of their offending behaviour.
	The Youth Justice Board's annual report and accounts 2008-09 shows that it allocated the following funding to YOTs for the delivery of such services to 10 to 17-year-olds within the criminal justice system.
	
		
			   £ million 
			 Direct YOT funding 53.761 
			 Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programmes 33.166 
			 Substance Misuse Programmes 18.103 
			 Community Education and Youth Justice Practitioner Training 9.629 
			 Other grants for intervention programmes 2.651 
			 Total 117.310 
		
	
	In addition, a further £297.952 million was spent on the provision of custodial places, this includes on the delivery of education and on substance misuse, which would also serve to rehabilitate young offenders.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Apprentices

David Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people in each age group  (a) started and  (b) completed an apprenticeship in each quarter of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: The number of people starting an Apprenticeship in England is at a record level and our recent Skills Investment Strategy announced a further expansion of Advanced Apprenticeships to increase the number of skilled technicians in priority areas. Table 1 and 2 show apprenticeship starts and achievements, by age group and quarter for academic years 2004-05 to 2008-09 (provisional).
	
		
			  Table 1: Apprenticeship starts by quarter, 2004-05 to 2008-09 (provisional) 
			   2004-05 
			  Age  Quarter 1 (final)  Quarter 2 (final)  Quarter 3 (final)  Quarter 4 (final) 
			 Under 16 200 - - 700 
			 16-18 55,700 19,300 14,200 23,400 
			 19-24 25,600 16,400 15,600 17,500 
			 25+ - - 200 200 
			 Total 81,500 35,700 30,000 41,800 
		
	
	
		
			   2005-06 
			  Age  Quarter 1 (final)  Quarter 2 (final)  Quarter 3  Quarter 4 (final) 
			 Under 16 200 - - 400 
			 16-18 51,000 17,900 14,700 15,300 
			 19-24 26,900 18,100 16,100 14,000 
			 25+ 100 100 100 - 
			 Total 78,200 36,100 30,900 29,700 
		
	
	
		
			   2006-07 
			  Age  Quarter 1 (final)  Quarter 2 (final)  Quarter 3 (final)  Quarter 4(final) 
			 Under 16 200 - - 400 
			 16-18 54,500 18,600 14,300 17,700 
			 19-24 28,600 16,000 16,500 17,500 
			 25+ 100 - - 100 
			 Total 83,400 34,600 30,800 35,700 
		
	
	
		
			   2007-08 
			  Age  Quarter 1 (final)  Quarter 2 (final)  Quarter 3 (final)  Quarter 4 (final) 
			 Under 16 100 - - 400 
			 16-18 54,500 17,800 16,800 18,000 
			 19-24 28,700 17,200 23,600 20,600 
			 25+ 1,600 2,700 8,000 14,700 
			 Total 84,900 37,600 48,400 53,800 
		
	
	
		
			   2008-09 
			  Age  Quarter 1 (provisional)  Quarter 2 (provisional)  Quarter 3 (provisional)  Quarter 4 (provisional) 
			 Under 16 100 - - 200 
			 16-18 52,500 16,400 14,200 13,500 
			 19-24 31,600 18,400 19,300 13,000 
			 25+ 18,300 14,800 14,400 7,200 
			 Total 102,600 49,700 47,900 33,900 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Apprenticeship achievements by quarter, 2004-05 to 2008-09 (provisional) 
			   2004-05 
			  Age  Quarter 1 (final)  Quarter (final)  Quarter 3 (final)  Quarter 4 (final) 
			 Under 16 100 100 100 100 
			 16-18 8,600 8,000 8,300 15,000 
			 19-24 5,600 5,500 6,500 9,500 
			 25+ - - - - 
			 Total 14,300 13,600 14,800 24,600 
		
	
	
		
			   2005-06 
			  Age  Quarter 1 (final)  Quarter (final)  Quarter 3 (final)  Quarter 4 (final) 
			 Under 16 100 100 100 100 
			 16-18 14,200 11,300 11,900 21,200 
			 19-24 9,500 8,300 8,900 12,900 
			 25+ - - - - 
			 Total 23,800 19,700 20,900 34,300 
		
	
	
		
			   2006-07 
			  Age  Quarter 1 (final)  Quarter 2 (final)  Quarter 3 (final)  Quarter 4 (final) 
			 Under 16 100 100 100 200 
			 16-18 15,800 12,000 11,500 25,800 
			 19-24 11,100 9,400 9,800 15,700 
			 25+ - - 100 100 
			 Total 27,100 21,500 21,500 41,700 
		
	
	
		
			   2007-08 
			  Age  Quarter 1 (final)  Quarter 2 (final)  Quarter 3 (final)  Quarter 4 (final) 
			 Under 16 100 - 100 100 
			 16-18 14,300 11,200 12,300 25,200 
			 19-24 10,800 9,300 10,800 17,200 
			 25+ - 100 200 800 
			 Total 25,200 20,600 23,500 43,400 
		
	
	
		
			   2008-09 
			  Age  Quarter 1 (provisional)  Quarter 2 (provisional)  Quarter 3 (provisional)  Quarter 4 (provisional) 
			 Under 16 100 - 100 100 
			 16-18 15,400 11,000 12,300 19,000 
			 19-24 12,800 11,200 12,900 16,000 
			 25+ 1,200 2,500 4,400 7,800 
			 Total 29,500 24,700 29,700 42,900 
			 - Indicates a base value of less than 50. N otes: 1. Volumes are rounded to the nearest 100. 2. Apprenticeship starts and achievements for 2008-09 are provisional and will be subject to an upward revision when final data are available for the December 2009 SFR. Based on previous year's revisions, starts may rise by approximately 2-3 per cent. and achievements by approximately 10 per cent. 3. Age is calculated based on age at start of the programme. 4. Figures are a count of the number of starts/framework achievements in each quarter. Learners starting/achieving more than one framework will appear more than once. 5 In order to be counted as a successful achievement, all elements of the framework must have been achieved. 6 Quarter 1 - 1 August to 31 October; Quarter 2 - 1 November to 31 January; Quarter 3 -1 February to 30 April; Quarter 4 -1 May to 31 July. So urce:  Work Based Learner and Employer Responsive Individualised Learner Record

Apprentices

David Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprenticeship  (a) starts and  (b) completions there have been in each industry sector in each year since 2005.

Kevin Brennan: Tables 1 and 2 show Apprenticeship starts and achievements by sector subject area from 2005/06 to 2008/09. Information is not available by 'industrial sector'.
	
		
			  Table 1: Apprenticeship  s tarts, 2005/06 to 2008/09 
			  Sector subject area  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08  2008/09 
			 Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care 4,100 3,900 4,500 5,200 
			 Arts, Media and Publishing 300 200 100 200 
			 Business, Administration and Law 37,200 36,400 50,700 64,100 
			 Construction, Planning and the Built Environment 21,700 27,500 27,800 29,200 
			 Education and Training 100 100 300 1,200 
			 Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies 30,900 34,700 43,100 37,000 
			 Health, Public Services and Care 22,500 23,600 31,100 34,800 
			 Information and Communication Technology 7,500 6,400 8,000 8,800 
			 Languages, Literature and Culture * * * * 
			 Leisure, Travel and Tourism 5,900 5,600 6,300 11,300 
			 Preparation for Life and Work * * * * 
			 Retail and Commercial Enterprise 40,000 43,000 49,300 48,000 
			 Science and Mathematics * * * * 
			 Unknown 5,000 2,900 3,500 100 
			 Total 175,000 184,400 224,800 239,900 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 2. The symbol '*' indicates a value of less than 50.  Source: Individualised Learner Record 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Apprenticeship  framework achievements , 2005/06 to 2008/09 
			  Sector subject area  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08  2008/09 
			 Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care 2,100 2,400 2,500 3,200 
			 Arts, Media and Publishing 200 200 200 * 
			 Business, Administration and Law 23,800 25,100 23,600 36,400 
			 Construction, Planning and the Built Environment 14,900 17,300 17,800 22,300 
			 Education and Training * 100 * 200 
			 Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies 18,200 21,500 20,800 22,900 
			 Health, Public Services and Care 10,600 12,900 13,800 19,400 
			 Information and Communication Technology 4,300 4,900 5,500 5,700 
			 Languages, Literature and Culture * * * * 
			 Leisure, Travel and Tourism 3,000 3,800 3,600 5,900 
			 Preparation for Life and Work 100 * * * 
			 Retail and Commercial Enterprise 21,200 23,500 24,400 27,400 
			 Science and Mathematics * * * * 
			 Unknown 300 200 400 * 
			 Total 98,700 111,800 112,600 143,400 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 2. The symbol '*' indicates a value of less than 50.  Source: Individualised Learner Record 
		
	
	Information on the number of Apprenticeship starts and achievements is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 17 December, and re-issued on 21 January to include provisional national estimates of the number of apprenticeship starts and achievements in the first quarter of 2009/10:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/sfrdec09
	Supplementary table 6 shows information on apprenticeship starts and achievements by sector subject area.

Apprentices: Lancashire

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of apprenticeships which will be taken up by people  (a) under and  (b) over 24 years old in (i) Chorley constituency and (ii) Lancashire in the next five years.

Kevin Brennan: Information on projected apprenticeship volumes is not available at sub-national level.
	National level estimates of learner numbers for apprentices aged between 16 and 19, up to 2010/11 academic year, are published in '16-19 Statement of Priorities and Investment Strategy 2010-11':
	http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/National/nat-statementofpriorities-Jan10.pdf
	National level estimates of learner numbers for apprentices aged 19+, up to 2010/11 academic year, are published in the 'Skills Investment Strategy 2010-11':
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/publications/Skills-Investment-Strategy.pdf

Construction: Qualifications

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will review the requirement on those who carry a card authorising them to operate construction equipment to also obtain a national vocational qualification in order to operate such equipment.

Ian Lucas: The Government have no locus in the running of construction industry competency card schemes, or the setting of rules. I will not therefore be undertaking a review of requirements. That said, the Government welcome the industry's drive to improve competence and good health and safety practice, and to encourage the achievement of relevant formal qualifications.

Departmental Internet

Nick Hurd: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the answer of 10 November 2009,  Official Report, column 311W, on Google adword online: advertising keywords, what keywords were paid for; and at what cost.

Patrick McFadden: BIS has spent, via the Central Office for Information (COI), a total of £381,056.89 on Google keywords in 2009/10 to date for the following marketing campaigns:
	
		
			  Campaign  £ 
			 Graduate Talent Pool 53,732.26 
			 Vulnerable Workers and Agency Workers 29,591.83 
			 National Minimum Wage 40,301.80 
			 Business Link 252,397.90 
			 i-Awards 539.30 
			 Science: So What? So Everything 1,179.04 
			 Employment Agency Standards 3,314.16 
			 Total 381,056.29 
		
	
	This covers a combination of 4,400 keywords related to these campaigns. We have not provided the full list and the amounts paid for individual keywords as the release of this information could prejudice the commercial interests of our suppliers.

Departmental Manpower

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the proportion of staff of  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies managed out in the last five years who remain working in the public sector.

Patrick McFadden: The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has not made an estimate of the percentage of staff managed out in the last five years who remain working in the public sector as that information is not centrally recorded.

Departmental Sick Leave

David Simpson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff in his Department have had five or more periods of sickness absence of less than five days since its inception.

Patrick McFadden: The number of BIS staff who have had five or more periods of sickness absence of less than five days since its inception is nine.

Educational Institutions: Buildings

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has spent on college buildings in  (a) Jarrow constituency,  (b) South Tyneside,  (c) the North East and  (d) nationwide in each year since 2008.

Kevin Brennan: In total across this current spending period, Government will spend £1.7 billion on college buildings-with a further £900 million already earmarked for the next spending period.
	All capital funding for further education colleges is administrated by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and I have asked Geoff Russell, the LSC chief executive, to write to my hon. Friend with the further information requested.
	 Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 5 February 2010:
	The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, has asked me to respond to your Parliamentary Question 1057 that asked;
	how much his Department has spent on college buildings in (a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) nationwide in each year since 2008.
	This expenditure is the responsibility of the LSC and I am pleased to confirm the following responses to your questions which relate to the further education (FE) capital budget:
	Questions (a) and (b): South Tyneside College is the only incorporated FE college with its main campus within the Jarrow constituency and also South Tyneside. For the period April 2008 to date the total amount of LSC capital grant support paid to South Tyneside College is £840,236 comprising £572,028 in the year ending 31 March 2009 and £268,208 to date in the year commencing 1 April 2009.
	The college previously received capital grant support of £144,752 in 2007-08.
	Question (c): The total amount of capital grant support paid in the North East Region is £85,262,939 for the period April 2008 to date comprising £45,885,576 in the year ending 31 March 2009 and £39,377,363 to date in the year commencing 1 April 2009.
	Question (d): The total amount of capital grant support paid across all regions since April 2008 to date is £1,117,268,695 comprising £492,323,101 in the year ending 31 March 2009 and £624,945,594 to date in the year commencing 1 April 2009.
	Please let me know if you require any further information.

Estate Agents: Money Laundering

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether a small firms impact assessment in respect of the estate agent industry has been produced in relation to the Office of Fair Trading's (OFT's) implementation of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007; and what fee estate agents are required to pay to register with the OFT.

Kevin Brennan: The Office of Fair Trading has been the anti-money laundering supervisory authority for estate agents since December 2007. As Her Majesty's Treasury had carried out a regulatory impact assessment before implementation of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, the Office of Fair Trading did not produce a separate impact assessment or small firms' assessment for the registration of estate agents for money laundering purposes, when deciding to require compulsory registration. In deciding upon compulsory registration, the OFT was concerned to minimise the burdens on business and has framed the information requirements and registration fee accordingly.
	For 2009-10, the fee for registration for estate agents is £115 per business premise. The fee is capped at £2,300 (or 20 premises).

Foreign Investment in UK: China

Hywel Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary value was of foreign direct investment from China  (a) in total,  (b) in each sector and  (c) in each industry sector in each of the last five years.

Ian Lucas: The available data are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Industrial activity of UK affiliates 
			  £ million 
			   Net foreign direct investment flows into the United Kingdom from China  Net FDI international investment position in the United Kingdom from China 
			   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  end 2008 
			 Total -26 13 12 16 -20 202 
			 Agriculture, forestry and fishing (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 Mining and quarrying (including oil/gas) (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 Food products (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 Textile and wood, printing and publishing (2)- (1)- (1)- 0 (2)- (2)- 
			 Chemical, plastic and fuel products (2)- (2)- (1)- 0 (2)- (2)- 
			 Metal and mechanical products (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 Office, IT and communications equipment (1)- (1)- (1)- 0 (1)- (1)- 
			 Transport equipment (1)- (2)- (2)- 0 (2)- (2)- 
			 Other manufacturing (1)- (1)- (1)- 0 (2)- (2)- 
			 Electricity, gas and water (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 Construction (1)- (2)- (2)- 0 (2)- (2)- 
			 Retail/wholesale trade and repairs (2)- 9 7 11 0 59 
			 Hotels and restaurants (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 Transport and communications 0 0 2 1 (2)- 1 
			 Financial services (2)- (2)- (2)- 1 0 (2)- 
			 Real estate and business services 0 1 (2)- 1 0 6 
			 Other services (1)- (1)- (1)- 0 (2)- (2)- 
			 (1) Indicates that no data were returned (2) Indicates that data are disclosive and cannot be published  Source: ONS Business Monitor MA4, Tables 5.3 and 6.3

Industrial Health and Safety

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Library a copy of the advice issued to staff of his Department on stress recognition and management.

Patrick McFadden: The Department will arrange for the policy and practices with regards management of stress, and advice to employees, to be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	These are the policies/practices used by the former Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR); the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) does not at present have harmonised policies/practices from the merging of the former BERR and former Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). DIUS used policies/practices from the other Government Departments from which they were formed in an earlier machinery of Government change.

Licensing

Nick Hurd: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department and its agencies have spent on font licensing in the last three years.

Patrick McFadden: Two fonts were purchased by the former BERR in 2008/09 at a cost of £40.46.
	Fonts which were already in use for printed materials and website use were chosen as the official corporate fonts when BIS was created in July 2009 and also when BERR was created in June 2007.

Minimum Wage: Hemsworth

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many of those resident in Hemsworth constituency have been paid at the national minimum wage rate since its introduction.

Patrick McFadden: Data for earnings is not available at the constituency level because of small sample sizes at this level in the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).
	At the regional level it is not possible to infer the number of employees earning exactly at the national minimum wage (NMW) with sufficient certainty. However it is possible to estimate the number who were paid at or below the NMW.
	At the Government office region level the most recent figure from BIS analysis of the 2009 ASHE indicates the number of jobholders who were paid at or below the NMW in April 2009 in the Yorkshire and Humber region was 78,000.

National Star College: Finance

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has had recent discussions with the National Star Centre on its capital programme; and how much funding his Department has allocated to that programme.

Kevin Brennan: I have frequent meetings with a wide range of college principles as well as regular dialogue with the Association of Colleges, the 157 group and other sector representatives. To date National Star College has received £1.96 million in capital grant support but the College was unsuccessful in the prioritisation exercise carried out by the Learning and Skills Council in 2009.
	Capital investment will continue with £1.7 billion invested directly into the FE estate this spending period with a further £900 million already earmarked for the next spending period. The LSC continues to consult the sector through the Association of Colleges Reference Panel to determine how future resource will best be invested.

New Industries: New Jobs

Hywel Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much he has allocated to the New Industries, New Jobs strategy in  (a) 2009-10 and  (b) 2010-11; and how much has been allocated to Wales.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 5 February 2010
	'New Industry, New Jobs' is the Government's active industrial strategy, covering cross-economy issues such as skills and innovation as well as sectoral and geographic interventions. It therefore encompasses a broad range of financial instruments.
	The Strategic Investment Fund was set at Budget 2009 specifically to underpin 'New Industry, New Jobs'. The SIF aims to support advanced industrial projects of strategic importance. The original fund of £750 million was increased by £200 million in the pre-Budget report in December 2010, and we expect to spend around £200 million by the end of this financial year. The whole fund is to be spent by March 2011.
	Much of this money is being distributed through UK wide mechanisms such as the UK Innovation Investment Fund and the Technology Strategy Board. As a UK-wide fund, many of the projects supported by the SIF are themselves UK-wide in geographical scope, as are the expected economic benefits. In addition to UK-wide schemes, there are two specific projects located in Wales. These are a £10 million contribution to a high performance computing centre in South Wales and a SIF contribution to the £340 million announced for repayable launch investment to Airbus, which is benefiting the facility at Broughton in North Wales.

Olympic Games: Canada

Don Foster: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials from his Department are planning to attend the winter Olympics in Vancouver in February 2010; and what estimate he has made of the cost of such attendance.

Patrick McFadden: No Ministers from the Department are planning to attend the winter Olympics in Vancouver. A small number of officials will be attending in an official capacity to deliver a programme of events and activity to promote British business capability, inward investment and partnership opportunities in general (for the UK) as well as business opportunities arising from the London 2012 games. Our 'Host2Host' partnership arrangement with the Province of British Columbia has resulted in a high level of cooperation and cost saving in general regarding our events programme.
	Officials will also be taking the opportunity to learn 'business operational activity' during the games both at Provincial and Federal level which will inform UKTI/BIS strategy for activity during the 2012 games. The actual cost for their attendance is not yet available.

Overseas Investment: China

Hywel Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary value was of UK direct investment  (a) in total and  (b) in each (i) sector and (ii) industry in China in each of the last five years.

Ian Lucas: The available data are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Industrial activity of  foreign  affiliates 
			  £ million 
			   Net foreign direct investment flows  from  the United Kingdom  into  China  Net FDI international investment position  from  the United Kingdom  in  China 
			   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  end 2008 
			 Total 539 598 374 1,138 1,036 4,222 
			 Agriculture, forestry and fishing (2)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 Mining and quarrying (including oil/gas) (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 
			 Food products 10 114 2 5 156 453 
			 Textile and wood, printing and publishing 6 6 0 -2 7 69 
			 Chemical, plastic and fuel products 77 47 7 48 16 751 
			 Metal and mechanical products 25 26 30 40 62 149 
			 Office, IT and communications equipment (2)- 6 (2)- 0 (2)- -1 
			 Transport equipment (2)- 7 -24 6 -3 (2)- 
			 Other manufacturing 0 43 67 68 124 558 
			 Electricity, gas and water (2)- (2)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 Construction (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 
			 Retail/wholesale trade and repairs 10 71 10 7 5 154 
			 Hotels and restaurants (2)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- (1)- 
			 Transport and communications 58 31 31 10 (2)- (2)- 
			 Financial services -1 (2)- 57 (2)- (2)- 337 
			 Real estate and business services 52 40 22 46 73 144 
			 Other services (2)- (2)- (2)- (2)- 0 (2)- 
			 (1) Indicates that no data were returned (2) Indicates that data are disclosive and cannot be published  Source: ONS Business Monitor MA4, Tables 5.3 and 6.3

Sandwell

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will set out, with statistical evidence relating as closely as possible to the borough of Sandwell, the effects on that borough of changes to the policies of his Department and its predecessors since 1997.

Patrick McFadden: The Government have put in place a wide-ranging programme of reform since 1997. Over the decade to 2007 the economic performance of all parts of the UK improved considerably. The policies of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (and its predecessors) have focused on building a competitive economy, delivering prosperity and sustainable economic growth. The regional development agency Advantage West Midlands (AWM) was established by the Government in 1998 to lead economic development work in the west midlands. The implementation of BIS policy in Sandwell has been taken forward primarily by AWM and the Government office for the west midlands, working with Sandwell metropolitan borough council and other local partners. The Government and their regional and local partners have responded vigorously to the global recession, providing assistance to companies and individuals.
	Consistent datasets going back to 1997 are not available for all key issues; the following statistics therefore start from the earliest date for which comparable data are available:
	(i) The level of skills in Sandwell has improved significantly with the proportion of the working age population qualified to at least NVQ2 level having increased from 31.8 per cent. to 45.0 per cent. between 1999 and 2008. Over the same period the proportion of the working age population qualified to at least NVQ3 increased from 19.8 per cent. to 25.3 per cent. and the proportion qualified to at least NVQ4 increased from 10.2 per cent. to 13.9 per cent.
	(ii) The number of businesses registered for VAT increased from 5,385 at the start of 2001 to 6,495 at the beginning of 2008.
	(iii) Business Link West Midlands (BLWM) is the main provider of business support in the region. It helped 135 businesses to start in Sandwell during 2007-08, 202 in 2008-09 and has assisted a further 170 businesses to start-up in the 10 months to the end of January 2010. BLWM also provided intensive assistance to 546 businesses in the borough in 2007-08, 825 in 2008-09 and 632 in the first 10 months of the current financial year.
	(iv) AWM has offered Grants for Business Investment (GBI) funding to 42 firms in Sandwell since 2004. The grants were worth a total of £5.9 million and have created 483 new jobs and safeguarded a further 554.
	(v) Between September and December 2009 19 companies in the automotive supply chain based in Sandwell received £338,740 support under the £4.5 million Automotive Recovery Programme (ARP). The programme was funded by AWM and the European Regional Development Fund and managed by the Manufacturing Advisory Service-West Midlands (MAS-WM). Following a robust capability review it funded specialist strategic consultancy to provide struggling component part makers with help with business consolidation, refinancing, new product introduction and restructuring. Six of the companies have already returned results showing that the assistance provided has led to business worth over £20 million being safeguarded or obtained, leading to the creation of safeguarding of 58 jobs.
	(vi) In December, Stoford Ltd. signed an agreement with BT for 75,000 sq ft of office space at its new £55 million All Saints office development in West Bromwich. The building will support BT's Transform Sandwell partnership with Sandwell metropolitan borough council creating up to 450 new jobs. Advantage West Midlands has committed £11 million to the All Saints project.

Students: Lewes

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people from the Lewes district council area became full-time undergraduate students in each year since 1997; and how many such people  (a) were from each socio-economic group and  (b) had parents from each socio-economic group.

David Lammy: Information for Lewes district council area is not available and figures for Lewes constituency are provided as an alternative.
	Figures for each academic year from 2002-03 to 2007-08 are provided in the attached table. Socio-economic classification (SEC) was introduced into higher education student data in the 2002-03 academic year and, therefore, figures for earlier years (which show the former social classification) are not comparable.
	Figures are provided for full-time undergraduate entrants aged under 21, and 21 and over, as data on socio-economic class is gathered on a different basis for these two distinct age groups. Socio-economic class is derived from information on occupation. For entrants aged under 21 this is based on the occupation of their parent, and for those aged 21 and over it is based on their own occupation.
	Figures for the 2008-09 academic year have been excluded from this answer as they are not directly comparable with those for 2002-03 to 2007-08 due to a change in the way parental or student occupation information was gathered. As a result of the change, it is not possible to determine whether the 2008-09 socio-economic class relates to the student or their parent.
	
		
			  Full-time undergraduate entrants from Lewes constituency( 1)  by age and socio-economic classification( 2) : UK higher education institutions( 3-) academic years 2002-03 to 2007-08 
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			  Socio-economic classification  21  21+  21  21+  21  21+  21  21+  21  21+  21  21+ 
			 Higher managerial and professional occupations 75 5 95 10 90 10 100 10 85 5 80 0 
			 Lower managerial and professional occupations 85 25 120 10 105 25 105 15 105 15 100 20 
			 Intermediate occupations 35 10 35 10 45 15 45 5 45 5 35 15 
			 Small employers and own account workers 20 0 30 5 30 5 20 5 30 5 25 5 
			 Lower supervisory and technical occupations 15 0 15 0 15 0 20 0 20 0 15 0 
			 Semi-routine occupations 20 15 25 5 15 20 20 15 15 15 20 10 
			 Routine occupations 5 5 5 5 10 0 10 5 10 5 15 5 
			 Total Known 255 60 325 50 310 75 325 50 310 50 285 55 
			 Missing(4) 110 65 50 75 60 55 75 65 75 65 70 90 
			 (1) The table does not include entrants where the constituency of the student cannot be established due to missing or invalid information. (2) This field collects the socio-economic classification of students participating in HE if 21 or over at the start of their course or parental classification if under 21. (3) Figures exclude the Open University due to inconsistencies in their coding of entrants across the time series. (4) Covers students whose socio-economic classification was missing, not classified or 'Never worked and long-term unemployed.  Note: Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded up or down to the nearest five, therefore components may not sum to totals.  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation

Nick Harvey: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills with which companies the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation has key account management relationships; and what the purpose of such a relationship is in each case.

Ian Lucas: As part of its customer-focused engagement strategy, UK Trade and Investment's Defence and Security Organisation (DSO) has key account management relationships with (in alphabetical order):
	BAE Systems
	Chemring
	Cobham
	EADS UK
	Finmeccanica UK companies
	General Dynamics UK
	Lockheed Martin UK
	MBDA UK
	Northrop Grumman UK
	QinetiQ
	Rolls-Royce plc
	Smiths Detection
	Thales UK.
	Additional key account relationships are planned.
	These relationships consist of formal engagement to increase understanding of the company's strategic priorities, enabling DSO to provide enhanced support.

UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation

Nick Harvey: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills who the members are of  (a) the UK Trade and Industry Defence and Security Organisation Defence Advisory Group and  (b) the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation Security Advisory Group; what the background is of each such member; and when each was appointed.

Ian Lucas: Current membership of the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation  (a) Defence Advisory Group and  (b) Security Advisory Group are included in the following tables. Members of the Defence Advisory Group were appointed from 1 July 2008; members of the Security Advisory Group were appointed on 4 August 2008 except for the last two named who were appointed on 1 December 2009. The members attend and offer their advice on a personal basis, drawing from their experience in, or related to, the defence and security sectors.
	
		
			  Defence Advisory Group members 
			  Name  Company 
			 Sir Kevin Tebbit (chair) Finmeccanica 
			 Victor Chavez Thales UK 
			 Clifford Dewell General Dynamics UK 
			 Martin Fausset Rolls Royce 
			 Stephen Fitz-Gerald Cobham 
			 Adrian Geal Defence Aviation Consultant 
			 Bob Keen BAE Systems 
			 Dr. David Price Chemring Group 
			 David Hansell MSI Defence Systems 
			 Jeffrey Miles Defence Consultant 
			 Kieron Sambrook-Smith Deep-Secure Ltd. 
			 Dr. Alexandra Ashbourne Associate Fellow Royal United Services Institute 
			 Iain Burgess Ernst and Young 
			 Philipa Foster-Back Institute of Business Ethics 
			 Ian Godden A/D/S 
			 Rear Admiral Rees Ward A/D/S 
		
	
	
		
			  Security Advisory Group members 
			  Name  Company 
			 Stephen Phipson (chair) Smiths Detection 
			 Andrew Boyd QinetiQ 
			 John Davies TDSI Ltd. 
			 Ann Fitz-Gerald Cranfield university 
			 Shaun Hipgrave Forensic Telecommunications Services Ltd. 
			 Andrew Knights Selectamark Security Systems 
			 Ian Pickerell Thales UK Ltd. 
			 Stephen Whitby EADS Defence and Security Ltd. 
			 Mike Critchley Ultra Electronics Ltd. 
			 John Hughes Selex Communications 
			 Brett Lovegrove Valentis Bridge Ltd. 
			 Michael Clarke G4S 
			 Martin Sutherland Detica

Unemployment: Torbay

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people under 25 years old were not in employment, education or training in  (a) Torbay constituency and  (b) each region in (i) 1997, (ii) 2007 and (iii) 2008-09.

Kevin Brennan: The following table gives estimates of the number and proportion of people aged(1) 16 to 24 not in education employment or training (NEET) in each region in the fourth quarter of 2000, 2007 and 2008. This information is from the labour force survey (LFS). Due to incomplete data, estimates are not available prior to 2000.
	Please note that these estimates are subject to large sampling variability and should therefore be treated with caution and viewed in conjunction with the confidence intervals(2) (CIs), which indicate how accurate an estimate is. For example, a 95 per cent. CI of +1-3.2 percentage points (pp) means that the true value is between 3.2pp above the estimate and 3.2pp below the estimate, for 95 per cent. of estimates.
	The LFS sample is not large enough to provide estimates for small geographies such as constituencies.
	(1) Age used is respondents academic age, which is defined as their age at the preceding 31 August.
	(2) Those given are 95 per cent. confidence intervals
	
		
			  Table: People aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training for each region 
			  Region  Q4: NEET  n umber  Q4: NEET  p ercentage  Q4: Confidence Intervals (pp) 
			   2000  2007  2008  2000  2007  2008  2008 
			 North East 50,000 49,000 54,000 18.3 15.3 16.7 +/-3.2 
			 North West 95,000 120,000 142,000 13.5 14.2 16.8 +/-2.0 
			 Yorks and Humber 75,000 82,000 92,000 13.9 12.3 13.6 +/-2.0 
			 East Midlands 56000 70000 68000 13.0 13.0 12.8 +/-2.2 
			 West Midlands 82,000 93,000 105,000 15.0 14.7 16.4 +/-2.3 
			 East of England 54,000 74,000 79,000 10.3 12.1 12.9 +/-2.1 
			 London 95,000 123,000 131,000 11.3 14.2 14.6 +/-2.0 
			 South East 74,000 116,000 122000 9.3 12.8 13.2 +/-1.7 
			 South West 48,000 56,000 63,000 10.3 9.8 11.1 +/-2.1 
			 England 629,000 782,000 857,000 12.3 13.1 14.2 +/-0.7 
			  Note: Base: 16 to 24 year olds, England  Source: Quarter 4 labour force survey

Vocational Training: Finance

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding his Department allocated to vocational training in each of the last three years.

Kevin Brennan: Train to Gain and Apprenticeships are the primary programmes that deliver vocational learning to learners aged 19+ that are funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The funding that has been allocated to these programmes for the financial years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 are given in the table following table.
	In addition to these programmes, vocational learning forms an element of a number of other programmes that are funded by the LSC, including Foundation Learning and Response to Redundancy programmes.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 Apprenticeships 19+ 332 390 398 
			 Train to Gain 826 926 983 
			  Source: BIS Skills Investment Strategy 2010-11